Sonya Broughton sets a Medfly trap before summer.
Camera IconSonya Broughton sets a Medfly trap before summer. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Medfly numbers on rise

Staff ReporterComment News

The Government has declared the Gosnells, Armadale, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Swan, Mundaring and Kalamunda council areas infested.

Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) senior research officer Sonya Broughton said warming temperatures drove Medfly activity and it was vital to keep numbers down before fruit ripened.

She said numbers were building in citrus and other evergreen ‘shelter’ trees after surviving the winter as adults, as larva in unpicked or fallen fruit, or pupa in the ground waiting for warmth.

She said Medfly could also breed during winter, particularly in citrus, and after mating, female Medfly would lay eggs in hard, green fruit if desperate enough for a host.

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Dr Broughton told commercial growers and owners of backyard lemon, loquat and early stone fruit trees to bait now, and install lure and kill devices. Visit agric.wa.gov.au and view fruit fly information.

DetailsLearn more at Karragullen ExpoSaturday, October 12, Karragullen Oval, OldStation Road from 9am, tickets up to $12.DAFWA, AgroFresh and Fruit West staff caninform horticulturists and Hills residents.Displays will include Medfly insects, traps,and apple and grape breeding developments.Expo visitors can discuss innovations in temperatefruit breeding with fruit breedersFor more information visit www.karragullenexpo.org.au/about-the-expo.aspx