Sterile fruit flies to target Elizabeth East outbreak

The State Government will release 2.7 million sterile fruit flies into metropolitan Adelaide’s only remaining Queensland fruit fly outbreak zone from next week, as it looks to eradicate the pest insect from the area.

Over the next 12 weeks, a Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) vehicle will travel along fixed routes through the Elizabeth East red outbreak zone, gradually releasing sterile flies from a customised container.

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) program involves flooding a pest insect population with sterile insects of the same species, resulting in lots of mating activity with no offspring.

The Elizabeth East outbreak was declared on 16 January 2026 after five adult flies were detected in monitoring traps over a two-week period. Since then, PIRSA field teams have undertaken extensive surveillance and eradication activities across the affected area.

While fruit fly activity naturally slows during winter, monitoring has continued and restrictions remain in place for the movement of fruit and vegetables grown within the red outbreak area.

The deployment of millions of sterile fruit flies will help suppress any remaining Queensland fruit flies in the area and support the eradication of the outbreak.

This same method was previously used in the successful control and eradication of fruit flies from the Glynde and Salisbury North outbreak zone in 2025.

Sterile fruit flies will be released by PIRSA from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm, beginning on 7 September and ending 27 November, weather permitting.

For more information about fruit fly, including what restrictions apply in outbreak zones and advice on preventing further outbreaks, call the Fruit Fly Hotline (1300 666 010) or visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au.