Auckland Oriental fruit fly response closed
Biosecurity New Zealand’s response to the detection of a single Oriental fruit fly in Papatoetoe has closed. No further fruit flies were detected in the area.
Legal controls on fruit and vegetable movements ended on 13 February 2025.
However, we do have an active response to another fruit fly found in Birkdale on 20 February 2025.
Situation summary
On 3 January 2025, a single male Oriental fruit fly was identified from a routine surveillance trap in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe.
A large-scale biosecurity response followed to determine whether there were more fruit flies in the area, and if so, to get rid of any population to protect the horticulture industry and home gardens.
This involved 6 weeks of trapping, with about 200 traps regularly inspected, and windfall fruit from the area examined. While our investigations were underway, legal controls were placed on the movement of fruit and produce out of a controlled area in Papatoetoe and Mangere to prevent the spread of any other fruit flies that may have been present.
No further Oriental fruit flies were found over this period, giving us confidence that there was not a breeding population in the area. We lifted movement controls and closed our response.
Papatoetoe/Māngere Controlled Area Notice (CAN) revoked
The Controlled Area Notice (CAN) enacted on 4 January 2025 restricted the movement of certain fruits and vegetables out of the Controlled Area to help prevent the spread of any fruit flies that may have been present.
This CAN was revoked (removed) on 13 February 2025.
Notice of revocation of CAN notice – Oriental fruitfly (bactrocera dorsalis) in Papatoetoe, Auckland [PDF, 542 KB]
Why we don't want Oriental fruit flies in NZ
The Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) can affect over 300 hosts, including apple, kiwifruit, citrus, and tomatoes.
A population of Oriental fruit fly would cause control costs and production losses. Some countries might stop accepting our exported produce.
About the Oriental fruit fly
The Oriental fruit fly is widespread in Africa and Asia. In Oceania, it is present in Christmas Island, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Hawaii, and Tahiti. However, it is not in Australia.
Adult flies lay eggs into fruit. The young stages (maggots) feed inside the fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.
Adult flies:
- are a little larger than a housefly (6 mm to 8 mm long)
- have a dark "T" shaped marking on the abdomen (the part behind the waist)
- usually have a bright yellow and orange abdomen (but can vary)
- have clear wings.
The thorax (behind the head) is dark or near black with 2 near parallel yellow thin strips running down each side of the thorax.
The female fly has a pointed "sting" to lay eggs inside fruit (but she can't sting or bite people).
Larvae look like white, long-grain rice.
Find out more about Oriental fruit flies
Image files
What you can do – keep vigilant
It requires a big effort from all New Zealanders to keep fruit flies out.
If you think you’ve found this fruit fly or seen what look like its maggots in fruit:
- photograph it
- capture it (if you can)
- call 0800 809 966
