Fruit fly attract and kill devices
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is responding to a number of Queensland fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland and wants to work with commercial growers to assist with the eradication effort.
To support this, PIRSA is supplying free attract and kill devices – AKDs – to commercial growers in outbreak and suspension areas. PIRSA will continue to treat areas 200 m around a confirmed fruit fly detection.
Check if you're in a red outbreak or yellow suspension area by searching your address on the outbreak map.
Produce at risk
Some common produce at risk from fruit fly include
- citrus
- stone fruit
- pome fruit including quinces
- grapes
- avocado
- tropical fruits
- some fruiting vegetables including tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chili.
Please check the longer list at restricted fruit and vegetables.
Queensland fruit fly behaviour
Fruit flies become active in late winter/early spring and baiting is a critical part of the eradication program.
In addition to the list above, fruit fly also feed and rest on the leaves of a range of other trees, for example almonds. The placement of AKDs needs to target these trees, including any forming shelter belts or tree lines on properties, as well as those at risk from fruit fly stinging (laying eggs in) their fruit. This will give the best chance of eradicating fruit fly from the Riverland.
About MAT devices
MAT devices are an attract and kill strategy for male Queensland fruit flies. They do not attract female fruit flies. MAT stands for Male Annihilation Technique and the devices contain both a lure (a powerful male sex attractant) and maldison (insecticide) as a toxicant. Male Queensland fruit flies are attracted to the devices and die as result of ingesting the toxicant. The devices are designed to protect the ingredients from rain and UV degradation. Take care when handling the device not to touch the inside.
MAT device deployment
PIRSA will supply MAT devices free of charge to commercial growers successfully registered with the AKD deployment program.
- MAT devices should be deployed at the rate of 10–20 devices per hectare.
- Each MAT device will have a unique QR code identifier so you can register its location online.
- MAT devices should NOT be located within 3 metres of a permanent PIRSA monitoring trap.
- It is recommended that new MAT devices are deployed three times per year (in spring, summer and autumn).
- MAT cups can be left in the field for a full 12 months and collected in the winter.
MAT device placement
The best place for the devices is in tree lines around the edges of the crop to prevent fruit fly from moving in or out of the crop. Under cold conditions, flies are likely to be attracted to warm spots such the northern side of trees. However, if conditions are hot and dry then the flies are more likely to be found on the eastern or southern side of trees.
- MAT devices should be placed in the best possible cover available in the open shade of the tree, never in direct sunlight.
- Where fruiting trees are not available, selected trees with suitable foliage (broad leafed).
- MAT devices should be hung at least 1.5 metres above the ground, within the canopy of the tree one-half to two-thirds of the distance from the trunk to the outer edge of the foliage.
- MAT devices must not be placed in dense foliage that may block the entrances, protrude into the device, or provide a resting place or situation that would prevent a fly from entering the device.
- If necessary, prune around the device.
AKD placement for fruit fly control should also be supplemented by good orchard management practices including prompt picking of ripe fruit, and removal and/or treatment of fallen and/or rotting fruit. This is essential to break the fruit fly life cycle.
Register MAT device locations
- As a condition of receiving AKDs you must register the AKD location information online. This will allow PIRSA to see which areas have been covered and which areas need more AKDs.
- View this page or take the guideline sheet ( ) with you when you deploy your AKDs on your property.
- Follow the link or scan the QR code to access the online form.
- Use the online form to scan the small QR code on each device to register the device’s location once you have placed it.
MAT device retrieval
It is vital to PIRSA's ongoing monitoring of fruit fly that any MAT devices deployed by eligible commercial growers are retrieved. This will stop any interference with the monitoring grid. If you receive biodegradable AKDs then these will not need to be retrieved.
More information
For market access enquiries:
- email MarketAccessRenmark.aaslocal@sa.gov.au
- call the industry hotline on 1800 255 556.
For more information, refer to MAT cups on the Bugs for bugs website.