Completed project
Citrus industry biosecurity preparedness strategy (CT20006)
This project strengthened the Australian citrus industry’s preparedness for exotic pest threats through the CitrusWatch program.
Completed project
Improving the biosecurity preparedness of Australian horticulture for the exotic spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) (MT17005)
Publication date: December 4, 2018
Delivery Partner: Plant Health Australia
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
Running from 2018 to 2020, this multi-industry investment improved awareness of the risks posed by spotted wing drosophila, which attacks a range of soft-skinned fruit, as well as enhanced Australia’s capacity to detect and respond to any incursions of the pest.
Most importantly, this project developed a framework for modelling spotted wing drosophila establishment and movement throughout Australian regions, allowing for a comprehensive preparedness plan to be developed for a swift response in the event of an incursion. The plan includes an extensive list of recommendations for industry, including relating to surveillance, control techniques, engagement and awareness, and diagnostics.
The project also worked to build knowledge and capacity around appropriate surveillance and management tools and strategies within the growing industries, government and among other relevant stakeholders. It produced a range of materials for growers, including identification information, a fact sheet on spotted wing drosophila hosts, and a webinar detailing preparedness for the pest.
The project team reports the key achievements of the investment as being:
The project produced several resources to inform industry about the threat of spotted wing drosophilia and potential management options:
A range of videos were also produced that can be viewed below:
This multi-industry project was a strategic levy investment in multiple Hort Innovation Funds
Related industries