Grey Lynn fruit fly hunt: MPI works to contain outbreak

A fruit fly warning sign on the corner of Sandringham Road and Royal Terrace. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Ministry for Primary Industries will reveal whether any more Queensland fruit flies have been found in Auckland tomorrow as it works to contain the worst outbreak in almost 20 years.

Three Queensland fruit flies have been found in Grey Lynn and their discovery poses a risk to New Zealand's $5 billion horticultural industry.

One fly, 39 larvae and one pupa had been found at the property in Grey Lynn after a resident captured the fly on a lemon tree and alerted the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

MPI will begin laying bait in trees to attract and kill female fruit flies, as well as spraying in targeted areas.

If the outbreak spreads it could be hugely damaging for the industry, as the Queensland fruit fly can make fruit and vegetables inedible.

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Peter Silcock told the Herald on Sunday it was "a huge worry" but was satisfied with the biosecurity response.

The country exports about $2.5 billion worth of fruit and vegetables a year to trade partners including Asia, the United States and Europe, he said. These regions have no present requirement to screen for Queensland fruit fly.

"A worst-case scenario is for those markets to ask for our products to be treated," he said.

"The cost of doing this would significantly raise prices of our fruit and vegetables for export and affect businesses and jobs across the country. More flies being found is a concerning development but not completely surprising."

Luggage of international arrivals at airports will now go through more x-raying and detector dogs will screen all passengers and luggage.

Residents within the controlled area of Grey Lynn, Western Springs, Mt Albert, Ponsonby and Kingsland are still restricted from taking fruit and vegetables outside of the area.

The current fruit fly find is the worst outbreak since 1996, when Mediterranean fruit flies were found in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill.