Identification
Queensland Fruit Fly ID
Queensland Fruit Fly is a small insect, native to tropical rainforests on the East coast of Australia. QFF is a pest to fruit production (including fruits known as vegetables). It has now increased its habitat range and threatens fruit production in more Southern Australian areas such as the Yarra Valley. Area Wide Management (AWM) is considered the best way to prevent, protect, manage and control QFF using a suite of tools.
Red-brown in colour
Mostly clear wings
Distinguishing yellow features
FLY
Queensland Fruit Fly is an insect that is red-brown in colour, 7-9mm long and has distinguishing yellow features, and mostly clear wings, setting it apart from other similar fruit flies.
The QFF can be mixed up with Lesser Queensland Fruit Fly, Jarvis’ Fly and occasionally Cucumber Fruit Fly. It is important to identify the suspect insect to both retrace its pathway into the Yarra Valley and to ensure the correct actions can be taken.
1 – 2mm long
White and almost banana shaped
Found just under the skin of the fruit
EGGS
Queensland Fruit Fly eggs are 1-2 mm long, white and almost banana shaped. They are found just underneath the fruit skin at the puncture wound made by the female QFF’s ovipositor (egg laying tube). It usually requires a microscope or hand lens to observe. An emerging technique to assist in spotting eggs is a method called brown sugar floatation.
7 – 9mm long
Creamy white in colour
‘Carrot shaped’ with a narrow head
LARVAE
Queensland Fruit Fly larvae can grow to 7-9mm long and are creamy white in colour. Larvae are ‘carrot shaped’ with a narrow head made up of two black jaws and a plump, rounded/blunt end with two small dots called ‘Spiracles’.
Queensland Fruit Fly larvae look similar to the larvae of Island Fly, Green Metallic Tomato Fly, and Lance Fly. It is important to correctly ID the suspect insect to both retrace its pathway into the Yarra Valley and to ensure the correct actions can be taken.
Identifying Queensland Fruit Fly
Further information is available to help you better identify suspect fruit fly at Fruit Fly ID Australia and Agriculture Victoria. You can send sealed and secured samples to entomologists at Crop Health Services for a professional diagnosis (fee payable).