Bactrocera papayae and Bactrocera philippinensis declared eradicated from mainland Australia
The NPPO of Australia has recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the eradication of Bactrocera papayae and Bactrocera philippinensis (both EPPO A1 quarantine pests).
Papaya fruit fly (Bactrocera papayae) and Philippines fruit fly (B. philippinensis) were officially declared eradicated from mainland Australia on 30 April 1999 and 31 May 1999 respectively. Mainland Australia (including Tasmania) is now free from all economically important fruit fly species of the oriental fruit fly (B. dorsalis) complex. Australia anticipates that quarantine restrictions relating to the presence of these fruit fly species on mainland Australia will be immediately withdrawn.
The papaya fruit fly eradication program began in November 1995 following the detection of specimens near Cairns, North Queensland, in October 1995 (see EPPO RS 96/044). Further B. papayae specimens were found in the wider Cairns region leading to the establishment of a 70,000 km2 pest quarantine area. B. papayae was officially declared eradicated on 30 April 1999 after more than 20 months with no detections.
The B. philippinensis eradication program began in November 1997, immediately following the detection of specimens in suburban Darwin, Northern Territory, on 20 November 1997. A 50 km radius pest quarantine area was declared around the site of the original detection. B. philippinensis was officially declared eradicated on 31 May 1999 after more than 17 months with no detections.
Australia has implemented a surveillance system to detect possible introduction of exotic fruit fly species. This surveillance system will ensure that mainland Australia (including Tasmania) remains free of exotic fruit fly species.
Sources
NPPO of Australia, 1999-06.