Queensland fruit fly

One of the most damaging horticultural pests in eastern Australia. Females sting fruit to lay eggs; the maggots feed inside and the fruit rots and drops.

Small sting marks or dimples on fruit, soft rotting patches, and white maggots inside when cut open.

Pick up and dispose of all fallen and infested fruit (bag and solarise, do not compost). Use traps and exclusion netting or fruit bags on remaining fruit.

Net or bag fruit early, bait or trap through the warm months, and never leave windfall fruit on the ground. A community effort works best.