News

Video supporting growers with fruit fly management

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 21:52:00

A new video to help horticulturists to take up the most effective management strategies for Queensland Fruit Fly is being launched at the Mildura Field Days this week.

The video was created by the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area in response to interest from growers about getting more information about the best techniques for controlling the pest.

“Managing Queensland Fruit Fly has become part of the annual vineyard and orchard management regime for growers, so adopting processes that are efficient and effective is critical,” GSPFA Regional Coordinator Narelle Beattie said.

“We brought together some of the key experts in the field for the video, to provide information to growers about their best option for fruit fly control on their properties,” she said.

Horticultural scientist and consultant Alison MacGregor said many growers believed newer techniques such as bait spraying would be an additional time and cost burden – but the reality is quite different.

“Bait spraying is by far the most effective way of managing Queensland Fruit Fly populations.  The bait has an attractant in it, so you just put out tiny amounts and the flies actually come and find it,” Ms MacGregor said.

“It sounds like a lot of work, but in reality if you think about the labor costs bait spraying presents a whole lot of savings –  the research shows us that the labor and chemical costs of cover sprays can be as much as six times the cost of bait spray.”

Ms Beattie said it was the hoped the video would prompt growers who have not yet moved over to  bait spraying to think again.

“The key issue for horticultural industries now is to manage Qfly effectively – we want growers to be able to do that in the most efficient way possible, so costs and labor demands are more manageable,” she said.

“GSPFA and horticultural consultants are here for more detailed information and advice, but we hope growers will take a moment to watch the video and we think they’ll be surprised by the information it contains.”

“Investigating bait spraying to control Queensland Fruit Fly” has been produced by the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area, with funding from the Victorian Government’s Managing Fruit Fly Regional Grants Program.  It will be launched at the Mildura Field Days (Agriculture Victoria site) on May 21.