Another male Queensland fruit fly found in Northcote

Another male Queensland fruit fly has been found in the Auckland suburb of Northcote.

Biosecurity New Zealand said the fly, which was the ninth to be found in the area in recent months, was detected a week ago.

Spokesperson Catherine Duthie said trapping and surveillance work in the area would continue until the end of this month.

Dr Duthie said fruit flies were not active in winter and would not be lured into traps, so the Ministry for Primary Industries will wait until spring to step up its operational activities again.

But she said current restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables still continue throughout winter, to prevent stowaway fruit flies from getting out of the area.

Queensland fruit flies pose a major risk to New Zealand's $5.5 billion horticulture industry.

Timeline: Fruit flies found in Auckland in 2019

• February 18 - A different species of fruit fly, a male facialis, was discovered in Ōtara, south Auckland. A Controlled Area Notice was put in place
• February 20 - Another single male Queensland fruit fly found in Northcote. A Controlled Area Notice was put in place
• February 21 - A second single male facialis detected in Ōtara, only 70m from the first find
• February 23 - Another single Queensland fruit fly found in Northcote
• February 28 - A third single male Queensland fruit fly detected in Northcote, 270m from where the last was found
• March 4 - A fourth male Queensland fruit fly detected in Northcote, approximately 80m from where the last was found
• March 5 - A third single male facialis detected in Ōtara, 630m from the last find
• March 10 - A fifth single male Queensland fruit fly found in Northcote, 60m from where the last was found
• March 14 - A sixth single male Queensland fruit fly found in Northcote 650m from the original find. The operational response was stepped up to include baiting
• March 22 - The Controlled Area Notices for Devonport and Ōtara were lifted after no further fruit flies were detected. Enhanced trapping continued as a precautionary measure
• April 12 - The Controlled Area Notice for Northcote was lifted after no further fruit flies were detected. Enhanced trapping continued as a precautionary measure
• April 25 - A seventh single male Queensland fruit fly was found in Northcote 460m away from where the cluster of male flies were found over a three week period. A Controlled Area Notice was put in place
• May 10 - An eighth single male Queensland fruit fly was found in Northcote, 1.6km away from where the last fly was found. The operational response has been stepped up to include baiting.

Previous fruit fly responses and successful eradication include:

• 2016, Tau fly, Manurewa, Auckland: one fly, level 1 response, two weeks, $1.0m
• 2015, Queensland fruit fly, Grey Lynn, Auckland: 14 flies and larvae at varying stages, level 2 response (breeding population), 10-11 months, $16.1m
• 2014, Queensland fruit fly, Whangarei: one fly, level 1 response, three weeks, $1.1m
• 2014, Queensland fruit fly, Whangarei: one fly, level 1 response, three weeks, $1.2m
• 2012, Queensland fruit fly, Avondale, Auckland: one fly, level 1 response, three weeks, $1.5m