Queensland fruit Fly in Apricots

Unfortunately all the fruit on our apricot tree is affected by fruit fly. It is impossible to see until the fruit is cut open to reveal the small white larvae. Even firm, semi-ripe fruit contained larvae. Pat, Jo and I sprang into action to remove all the fruit both on and under the tree. The fruit were sealed inside black plastic bags, tied securely and have been left in the sun for at least a week to be cooked by the sun. Alternatively we could have cooked all the fruit in a microwave oven or frozen it. Dispose of the sealed plastic bag in the garbage bin, not the compost bin.

Reporting Fruit Fly Outbreaks:  I rang the relevant Government Department but was advised by a very nice person  that the only area of Victoria currently fruit fly free is around Mildura. South Australia is the only fruit-fly free state on the Australian mainland. Reporting fruit fly outbreaks elsewhere has been suspended. She directed me to http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-insects-and-mites/queensland-fruit-fly/fruit-fly-action-plan. It was worth looking up; very clear, comprehensive information.

Fruit fly Prevention: We will not be using chemical prevention methods in our Permaculture fruit forest. We have removed all the fruit, cleaned up under the tree, disposed of the affected fruit and Jo pruned the tree today. If we can get a grant to buy nets at $60 each, we will net all our fruit trees next year. We are monitoring the apple and nectarine trees at the moment. Fruit fly do not attack olive trees. They attack almost all other fruit including tomatoes.

Stewed apricots salvaged from damaged fruit

Salvaging some Apricots: I took home about 1.5 k of under-ripe apricots and after cutting out the affected parts of the fruit I was able to save about 750 gm of good apricot flesh which I stewed with 2 T of sugar and half a cup of water. The result was very pleasing- sweet, more flavoursome than the unripe fruit and a good colour. After I prepared the fruit I disposed of the fruit fly affected waste  in my Bokashi compost system. This is not the recommended method of disposal but I feel it is safe because it is a sealed system which works by fermentation; I doubt if a larvae could survive the process.