Fruit flies can lay their eggs in a wide variety of types of maturing or ripe fruit, including stonefruit, citrus, loquats, tomatoes, avocados and quinces. They can also lay eggs in some vegetables such as capsicums. The tiny, creamy-white maggots hatch from the eggs and burrow through the fruit as they feed.

Infested fruit can look perfectly sound on the outside. On the inside, infested fruit often looks brown and mushy.

Fruit flies generally do not travel very far, although outbreaks can be the result of a single infestation in one garden resulting in the hatching of many flies that then move into neighbouring gardens. 

Aside from that, the only way in which fruit fly can be introduced in to a fruit fly free area is if travellers unwittingly transport infested fruit into the area.  This poses the greatest threat to fruit fly free areas, so the general public plays a significant role in the management of fruit fly in the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone.

Fruit flies are different to ordinary ‘house’ flies.  It’s important to be able to tell the difference, but if you’re not sure, call the fruit fly hotline on 1800 084 881.