National fruit fly surveillance programme

ABSTRACT

This annual report summarizes the results of the 2021-2022 National Fruit Fly Surveillance Programme (NFFSP) in New Zealand. The report shows that despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the programme was successful in meeting its objectives. A total of 139 individual trap runs were used to service the 7878 Lynfield traps in use, with no new traps established but several relocated to improve coverage. From the 2587 trap-run submissions, a total of 8183 vials were submitted, and no exotic fruit flies were detected. Thirteen samples collected in fruit-fly traps were categorized as "specimens of interest," while 9 specimens were submitted by trappers as passive surveillance samples. All lure batches tested during the season met the required standard, and field checks were made to ensure that all lures sent to trappers had been calibrated within the last 12 months. The report concludes that the trapping network was effective in supporting New Zealand's claims of area freedom.