SITplus: Improved population management system for Queensland fruit fly (HG13034)

What was it all about?

This project, which ran from 2014 to 2018, was undertaken as part of the larger Sterile Insect Technique Plus (SIT-Plus) consortium, the partnership working to deliver an integrated pest management solution to Queensland fruit fly (Qfly).

Improved attractants are needed for Qfly females because cuelure only attracts sexually mature male flies and protein baits are not long lasting, either spoiling, drying or being washed away and requiring reapplication weekly as well as many baits per hectare.

The team identified compounds from four fruits that showed promise and tested them for attraction to female flies. They found an attractant based on a blend of three compounds that is an improvement over existing protein baits. Further development is required to get it field ready.

The second part of the research saw the team develop a modelling framework that will better estimate the effects of current tools used to manage Qfly, such as male annihilation technique, sterile insect technique and baits.