WA STONEFRUIT medfly

Can you help?

THE team attended on behalf of the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) — a national partnership between government agencies, universities and industry formalised through the Hort Innovation International Markets Frontiers Fund.

As part of FASTA’s $130 million national collaboration to protect and grow Australia’s horticultural exports, DPIRD will be investigating the efficacy and phytotoxicity of protein baits alongside testing new trap designs and lures against the current national practice.

The sundowner was a wonderful opportunity to discuss these projects with local orchardists and gauge interest in their participation.

Both projects require large trial sites with an active Medfly population, and securing cooperation from commercial horticulturalists is crucial for success.

DPIRD is currently seeking multiple hectare sites over the next two seasons for both their protein bait and trapping projects.

Project Entomologist Cai Christian outlined what’s involved:

“We need a minimum of three hectares to accurately monitor for effects to the local medfly population from protein baiting. Phytotoxicity trials don’t need as much space but still require multiple trees to overcome natural variation and depending on tree density, could extend to over a hectare.

Our planned trapping activities are expected to cover multiple areas between one and three hectares depending on the trial and aim to investigate if there are any trap designs or lure formulations better suited for Medfly detection than the current practice.

Our target crops for the trials are stone fruit, citrus and pome, but we are happy to receive expressions of interest from any grower willing to participate.

If you are interested in taking part in either of these projects or are aware of any unmaintained orchards or lifestyle blocks that may also be suitable, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or for further information.”

During the event, several attendees suggested possible unmaintained blocks that may fit DPIRD’s needs. Others expressed interest in joining the trapping trials.