This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

Building on the research project ‘Alternative fruit fly treatment for interstate market access for strawberries’ (BS06022), the Market Access Team of Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry carried out further trials to assess the risk of fruit fly infestation in untreated strawberries harvested from Southeast Queensland during the Winter Window period. This data would be used to support the Winter Window option for interstate market access for strawberries from Southeast Queensland

From monitoring fruit fly activity this study found that the population and abundance of Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) and lesser Queensland fruit fly (B. neohumeralis) on strawberry farms is very low from May until mid August. Also, from assessment of strawberry samples we have demonstrated that the risk of fruit fly infestation in untreated strawberries produced in Southeast Queensland during the winter period was negligible.