Eradicating Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) in Perth, Western Australia

Western Australia is free from Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) (Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), an economically important pest species native to eastern Australia. Qfly was first detected in Perth in 1989, but was eradicated over 300 km² using foliar baits, male annihilation and the sterile insect technique (SIT) at the cost of $17.85 million (Aus). Subsequently, a permanent trapping array was established in 1991 to provide early warning of incursions and to reduce the cost of eradication. From 1990 to 2018, five incursions of Qfly have been eradicated using foliar baits and fruit removal. In 2020, Qfly was detected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and was eradicated using foliar baits, fruit stripping, male annihilation, mass trapping and SIT at the cost of $12.66 million (Aus). This paper discusses the history of eradication programmes against Qfly in Western Australia, the challenges and changes in conducting eradication campaigns as well as future research requirements.