A recent expansion at Port Augusta’s Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility has resulted in the release of one billion sterile fruit flies to combat outbreaks in the Riverland region.
Since September, the facility has doubled its production of sterile Queensland fruit flies (Q-fly) from 20 million to 40 million, resulting in one billion SIT flies since the start of the program in August 2022.
“To reach this milestone is an incredible achievement and a vital step in the Riverland fruit fly eradication response. The Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility at Port Augusta has gone from strength to strength since it was established as the first purpose-built fruit fly in Australia, and it continues to be at the forefront of Australian research into sterile insect technology for Q-fly,” SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said.
“The Malinauskas Government is doing everything it can to eradicate the current outbreaks in the Riverland and remains committed to protecting our $1.45 billion horticulture industry from fruit fly.”
The program decreases the fruit fly population by mating sterile flies with wild ones, resulting in no fertile offspring.
The $3 million expansion was funded by the Australian Government’s $30 million Building Resilience to Manage Fruit Fly package, with additional contributions from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA) and Citrus SA.
“This exciting milestone of one billion sterile flies being released highlights the success of the Port Augusta facility and its recent expansion, building on the years of hard work by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia and their dedicated team in the Port Augusta facility,” Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said.
“Collaboration was key to the success of this work, made possible through the Federal Government’s Building Resilience to Manage Fruit Fly package (the package) in combination with co-contributions from the South Australian Government and Citrus SA,” Minister Watt stated.
Fruit flies are a severe horticultural pest, causing significant damage to commercial crops and home gardens, and negatively impacting trade access.
The Riverland is currently experiencing 47 outbreaks, and existing outbreak and suspension areas are subject to restrictions.
Travellers heading into the Riverland or returning from interstate trips during summer holidays are reminded to follow fruit fly restrictions or face a $414 fine.
Citrus SA Chair Mark Doecke commented, “Citrus SA is happy to partner with the State Government to fund the sterile Expansion for the benefit of all South Australians.”
“We thank the staff of the Port Augusta facility on the milestone of one billion flies. We see this facility as key to eradicating fruit fly in South Australia.”
