Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Sterile fruit flies from the breeding facility at Port Augusta were dropped from the sky over Adelaide today to assist in the $45 million fight against fruit fly.
The National Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) Facility which was officially opened at Port Augusta in late 2016, for the first time today provided millions of “attractive” sterile fruit flies.
Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the facility is something the community of Port Augusta should be proud of as it is providing local jobs while taking on the very important role of protecting Australia’s horticulture industry.
Mr Ramsey said the sterile fruit flies had been raised to be more attractive to the wild population to improve the program’s effectiveness.
“These flies have great endurance, fitness, agility and looks that are irresistible to wild flies looking to breed,” Mr Ramsey said.
“By introducing large numbers of these very attractive flies it increases the likelihood of stopping wild flies from breeding, and instead they become more attracted to the sterile flies.”
Mr Ramsey said the creation of the nation’s state-of-the-art production facility at Port Augusta and the first release of the sterile fruit flies taking place today is a great achievement for all involved.
Contact: Kendall Jackson (08)8633 1744