Irradiation for phytosanitary treatment of the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt benefits international trade

One of Australia's major phytosanitary pests of concern for international trade is the Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Methyl bromide and cold treatment are treatment methods commonly used for international trade. However, methyl bromide is a greenhouse gas and has occupational health concerns. Cold treatment takes several weeks to complete and is unsuitable for air freight. Time frames for lemons, for instance, vary from fourteen to sixteen days (for Qfly) plus temperature ramp down and then ramp up after treatment; ramping often takes three days each. Given the limitations of other conventional post-harvest treatments, irradiation is well suited for fruit fly disinfestation of commodities to be airfreighted to countries demanding fresh fruit with no residues.