On 10 December 2025, Greater Shepparton City Council announced it had secured$469,000 in Victorian Government funding to strengthen fruit fly management across Greater Shepparton, Moira Shire, Campaspe Shire and Strathbogie Shire. The funding supports the rollout of a new Goulburn Murray Valley (GMV) fruit fly trapping grid, a critical early-warning system designed to protect local growers, backyards and commercial horticulture.
The trapping grid is currently being installed and is already generating early data. Initial monitoring shows that despite prolonged hot weather throughout December and January, Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) populations are building across the GMV region. This reinforces the importance of coordinated surveillance and action across both urban and agricultural landscapes.
Data from the trapping grid highlights urban areas as key sources of higher Qfly populations. As backyard fruit ripens and drops, flies migrate from urban environments into peri-urban zones and, ultimately, into nearby commercial crops. This movement is now being observed across the GMV, placing peri-urban crops and surrounding horticulture at increased risk of infestation.
Identified fruit fly hot spots currently include Cobram, Koonoomoo, Lemnos, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Numurkah, Strathmerton and Yarrawonga. With hot conditions forecast to continue, adult Qfly are likely to shelter until conditions improve. Without consistent farm and community-wide control, this can lead to a population surge in late summer and early autumn—right when commercial crops begin to ripen.
Residents and growers are urged to stay vigilant by monitoring traps, replacing lures regularly and positioning traps out of direct heat. Check fruit for sting marks or maggots and remove affected fruit or plants promptly.
Learn more about fruit fly management and regional protection efforts at Queensland Fruit Fly - Greater Shepparton City Council, Queensland fruit fly | Agriculture Victoria or Fruit Fly Control – The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Project.
