Plants and quarantine

If you are travelling in the Northern Territory (NT) you should be aware there are pests in some regions, which are not found in others.

Melon thrips

One of the most commonly found pests in the Top End of the NT are melon thrips.

They are not found anywhere else in the NT south of the Adelaide River township.

Melon thrips can be carried by any of the following:

• avocado
• bamboo
• beans
• capsicum
• carnations
• cucumber
• eggplant
• figs
• cotton
• and hibiscus

It can also be found in many grass varieties.

Mango leaf hopper

If you are moving mango plants in the NT you should have them treated against leaf hopper.

If you grow mangoes you must have them treated six weeks before harvest.

The only mango varieties which do not need treatment are Kensington Pride, Calypso and Honey Gold varieties.

Fruit fly

If you are travelling to the township of Ti Tree, north of Alice Springs, you must dispose of any fruit you have brought from interstate. Ti Tree and some surrounding properties are fruit fly free zones.

Quarantine bins are placed at Alice Springs Airport and railway station to surrender your fruit.

There are three types of fruit fly of concern for agriculture in the NT. They are:

• Mediterranean fruit fly
• cucumber fruit fly
• banana fly.

Uncertified bananas from North Queensland are not allowed into the NT.

Fruits which can be affected by fruit fly include:

• mango
• tomato
• avocado
• pawpaw
• melons
• passionfruit.

Vegetables which can be affected include:

• chilli
• capsicum
• eggplant
• choko
• cucumber
• zucchini
• pumpkin
• squash.