New Zealand / Auckland Region

Fruit fly larvae found in chillies at Auckland Airport

18:00 pm on 2 August 2018

Fruit fly larvae intercepted at Auckland Airport could have devastated the country's horticulture industry, Biosecurity New Zealand says.

The larvae was discovered in the luggage of a tour party leader from Malaysia last month.

It was found in chillies following x-ray screening and a caterpillar was also found in some garlic bulbs.

The intercepted larvae was believed to be of Malaysian fruit fly, which has invaded a number of Pacific islands.

The species attacks more than 60 types of fruit and vegetables.