More than 300 insect traps in the Whangarei area where a Queensland fruit fly was discovered have been checked, but no more of the insects have been found.
Ministry for Primary Industries Compliance Officer Marcie Cooke holding a trap. Photo: SUPPLIED
The traps cover a 1500 metre radius around the site in Parihaka where a male fruit fly was found eight days ago.
The Ministry for Primary Industries says it has also been checking fruit grown in the area for female fruit flies and none have been found.
Last week's discovery was the second of a Queensland fruit fly in Whangarei this year - the first was found in January.
Meanwhile, grower Russell Fransham, who has a sub-tropicals nursery at Matapouri, says the response to the discovery has been admirable, but the level of prevention to keep the pest out is not enough.
Mr Fransham says he has been legally bringing tropical plant seed into New Zealand for 35 years and airport inspection standards have slipped recently.
He says he has friends and family who have passed through Customs unchallenged, with fruit in their bags they had forgotten about.
