Background
A Tau fly has been collected from a trap in Auckland.
Tau fly is most commonly found in tropical Asian climates. A single adult male fly was collected from a trap in the Auckland suburb of Manurewa on the afternoon of Thursday 21 January. It’s the first time a fly of this species has been found in New Zealand.
Only one insect has been trapped. This is not considered an outbreak.outbreak.
Risk to New Zealand
In areas where it lives, Tau fly can be a pest of some horticultural crops, such as pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, capsicum, zucchini, beans and passionfruit.
It is extremely unlikely that the fly will be able to establish in New Zealand, due to our climate.
Where in New Zealand?
An adult Tau fly was found in a trap in the Auckland suburb of Manurewa. MPI has a significant number of traps in the area and no other flies have been found.
What's being done?
MPI has set up a Controlled Area around where the fly was found. For 1.5km in each direction, there are legal controls on the movement of a number of fruits and vegetables including pumpkin, melon, cucumber, capsicum, zucchini, beans and passionfruit (see the Controlled Area Notice for the full list). Thesepassionfruit. These restrictions will be in place for at least 2 weeks.
The Controlled Area extends 1.5km from the trap where the Tau fly was found. There are legal controls on the movement of specific fruit and vegetables through this area.
Surveillance
MPI has teams in the field setting additional fly traps to determine if there are other flies in the area. If more flies are found, we will take action to prevent them from spreading out of the area.
It is vital to find out if this insect is a solitary find.
The fly was found in one of 7,600 fly traps that MPI has set around the country. These traps aim to detect unwanted flies that arrive from overseas.
Border control
MPI has strict requirements on the importation of fruit and vegetables to minimise the risk of pests coming into the country. Air and sea passengers are prohibited from bringing fresh fruit and vegetables into the country. MPI has to date been highly successful in keeping this insect threat out of New Zealand.
What you can do
Keep watch for Tau fly. If you think you’ve found one, call us immediately on 0800 80 99 66 . If you can catch or photograph the fly, that will help.
If you see a fly like this - call us on 0800 80 99 66. Surveillance
MPI has teams in the field setting additional fly traps to determine if there are other flies in the area. If more flies are found, we will take action to prevent them from spreading out of the area.
It is vital to find out if this insect is a solitary find.
The fly was found in one of 7,600 fly traps that MPI has set around the country. These traps aim to detect unwanted flies that arrive from overseas.
Border control
MPI has strict requirements on the importation of fruit and vegetables to minimise the risk of pests coming into the country. Air and sea passengers are prohibited from bringing fresh fruit and vegetables into the country. MPI has to date been highly successful in keeping this insect threat out of New Zealand.
What you can do
Keep watch for Tau fly. If you think you’ve found one, call us immediately on 0800 80 99 66 . If you can catch or photograph the fly, that will help.
If you see a fly like this - call us on 0800 80 99 66.