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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 46(9)

Effect of town microclimate on the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni

B. C. Dominiak A D , H. S. Mavi A B and H. I. Nicol A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A NSW Department of Primary Industries, 161 Kite Street, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

B Current address: 8 Isabell Close, Cherrybrook, NSW 2126, Australia.

C Current address: Nicol Consulting, 95 Ophir Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: bernie.dominiak@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(9) 1239-1249 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04217
Submitted: 19 October 2004  Accepted: 21 March 2005   Published: 4 August 2006

Abstract

Weekly data from the urban and rural environments of numerous Australian inland towns were used to assess the impact of urban environments on the potential growth rate of the Queensland fruit fly. The urban environments were warmer and more moist than adjacent rural environments, making rural landscapes less attractive for fruit fly. Further analysis of climatic data revealed an acute negative water balance during the summer season. Under this harsh environment, the health and greenness of urban backyards and parks is maintained with frequent use of urban irrigation. This study aims to quantify the impact of urban hydrology on environmental conditions for the population potential of Queensland fruit fly in south-eastern New South Wales. CLIMEX, a climate-driven simulation model, was used in this study. Results indicated that throughout the winter season, low temperatures kept the Queensland fruit fly under control, irrespective of any other factor, including favourable moisture conditions. During summer, moisture was the major limiting factor. Even partial irrigation reduced the limiting effects of the deficiency of rainfall often experienced during midsummer. Irrigation also resulted in a large increase in the duration of the favourable period for the potential growth of fruit fly and an almost complete removal of unfavourable periods. When irrigation water was applied at optimal or excessive levels, the duration of favourable conditions for the Queensland fruit fly extended beyond the summer season. For the Queensland fruit fly, towns appear to be oases compared with the surrounding rural desert. Queensland fruit fly is unlikely to travel freely between towns, minimising chances of reinvasion once a resident population has been eliminated.

Additional keywords: quarantine, statistical models.


Acknowledgments

The assistance of the councils that provided information is greatly appreciated. We thank Nic Austin and Peter Hayman for comments on an early version of the manuscript. The map was drawn by Udai Pradhan, NSW Department of Primary Industries.


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