Although the Tau fly found in Auckland recently is not a threat to kiwifruit, its discovery once again highlights the need for a robust bio-security system, says Doug Brown, chairman of Kiwifruit Growers Inc.

'Had it been a Mediterranean fruit fly, it would have been of major concern for the kiwifruit industry.”

The Tau Fly. Photo: MPI.

However, market gardeners are concerned about the insect which has not been found in New Zealand before.

In the tropical Asian climates where it lives, Tau fly can be a pest of some horticultural crops, such as pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, capsicum, zucchini, eggplant, beans, papaya, mangoes and passionfruit.

The Ministry for Primary Industries statement says it is extremely unlikely that the fly will be able to establish in New Zealand, due to our climate.

So far just one Tau fly has been found in the MPI surveillance traps in Manurewa, Auckland and 58 field workers are in the area checking surveillance lure traps and collecting produce for inspection.

"No further Tau flies have been found," says the Ministry's Manager Surveillance and Incursion Investigation, Brendan Gould.

"We are focused on finding out if there is a population of these flies in the area. If one exists, we want to get rid of them as they pose a threat to some horticultural crops."

MPI has a Controlled Area in place extending 1.5km from the location of the fly find. There are 81 traps in the A Zone, a circular area extending 200m around where the fly was found, and 166 traps in the wider B Zone which extends out to 1,500m from the find.

"Our traps are very efficient. If there are further flies present, these traps will find them."

While MPI works to rule out the presence of any population, residents in the Controlled Area are asked to ensure restricted fruits and vegetables (see below) are not moved from their property, other than into disposal bins provided. There are 135 disposal bins conveniently located throughout the area.