STRATEGIC moves in the war against Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) have been bolstered with an international expert giving the thumbs-up to a new research program.
Dr Kostas Bourtzis is the Leader of the Genetics Group at the Joint FAO/IAEA Insect Pest Control Laboratory in Austria.
He spoke at a recent Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIA) workshop, detailing information on SITplus, a $22 million research partnership committed to a strategic, coordinated and national approach to Qfly management.
The program is funded by HIA and core co investors including Primary Industries and Regions SA; the CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship; Plant and Food Research Australia; NSW Department of Primary Industries and Macquarie University.
The SITplus partnership aims to develop the capability to use Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) – a well known technology that could transform the way Qfly is managed in Australia and potentially New Zealand.
According to Dr Bourtzis, Australia is on the right track to managing the endemic pest in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
“There is a strong commitment by all SITplus stakeholders to achieve the outcome of Qfly population control,” Dr Bourtzis said.
“There has been promising progress on all levels, from applied research and development to the design of the mass rearing facility in Port Augusta to produce sterile insects.
“To ensure the partnership’s continued success, technical, managerial and logistical prerequisites should be met including availability of genetic sexing strain(s); relevant entomological baseline data; assessment of mating competitiveness of sterile insects and availability of back up strains; timely and thorough data analysis; feedback mechanisms; public awareness and education; and regular reviews by independent experts.
“The overall success of SITplus depends on the success of each of the project’s components.”
According to Dr Bourtzis, the development and successful application of SIT requires a sound knowledge of the biology, genetics and ecology of any target species, including Qfly, as well as mass rearing, release and monitoring methods.
“SIT is management intensive and requires long term commitment by all stakeholders,” he said.
“I am really pleased to see that the SITplus partnership is taking all the necessary steps and actions to achieve a successful outcome.”
