The Tasmanian government’s fruit fly education campaign came to the people at Agfest.
Primary Industries, Parks, Wildlife and Environment department staff, including public education officer Ben Davidson, are at the agricultural event at Quercus Park to speak with patrons about fruit fly.
“Today we’re representing the fruit fly response, so we can talk to both industry people and the general public to make them more aware about fruit fly, and how they can help as well,” Mr Davidson said.
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Agfest patrons who have visited Mr Davidson asked about what was being done to eradicate fruit fly in Tasmania.
“We are pointing out the eradication efforts, which is the spot baiting, the larvae surveys and the traps,” he said.
“We’ve got more than 1000 of those sentinel traps around the state at all times. People are generally quite surprised about that.
“Another 333 have gone in as a direct result of this incursion. It’s a case of trying to prove we haven’t got it.”
Those who have not seen a fruit fly can look at the department’s specimen at Agfest.
“The thing that surprises most people is how small they are. They’re only just over half a centimetre,” Mr Davidson said.
Vinegar flies that hover around fruit bowls are commonly mistaken for fruit flies.
“We’ve had more than 1500 people contact us so far and only in a couple of instances has it been fruit fly, but if in doubt contact us every time on our hotline 6165 3774.”