What was it all about?
This project, which ran from 2013 to 2016, investigated the effectiveness of a type of pheromone technology to assist in controlling Queensland fruit fly, protecting domestic and international fruit markets.
It was assessed in a range of susceptible crops including summerfruit, citrus, mangoes, banana, cherry, apples, pears, tomatoes, and avocado.
The work carried out by the team suggested that the ‘Specialised Pheromone Lure Application Technology’ (SPLAT) approach is as effective as current controls in managing Queensland fruit fly.
This form of control has distinct advantages since it uses a reduced-risk insecticide that does not require labour-intensive handling and placement.