Biosecurity New Zealand has launched an operation in Mt Roskill after a single male Queensland fruit fly was detected in a surveillance trap.

The fly was picked up through the national network of nearly 8,000 traps. Biosecurity commissioner north, Mike Inglis, said finding one male does not mean there is an outbreak, but officials are moving quickly to check for any others and prevent spread.

Over the next 72 hours, trapping and inspections will be stepped up. Teams will carry out daily checks within 200 metres of the find, and checks every three days in a wider zone out to 1,500 metres.

As a precaution, legal restrictions will be placed on moving fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fly was found. The exact boundaries and instructions will be issued tomorrow, following initial investigations. In the meantime, people who live and work in Mt Roskill are asked not to take whole fresh fruit and vegetables off their properties.

Residents can expect to see more field staff in the neighbourhood. Officers may ask to inspect fruit trees; they will carry official identification and will only enter properties with permission.

Biosecurity New Zealand is working with Government Industry Agreement partners in horticulture to reduce risk to growers and exporters. The Queensland fruit fly poses no risk to human health, but if it established here it would carry an economic cost.

There have been 13 incursions of different fruit flies in Auckland and Northland since 1996, all of which were eradicated.

A further media update is expected tomorrow. Suspected finds can be reported to MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66. For general enquiries, call 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz.