A new research project that builds on pioneering trials confirming native flies could be used as alternative pollinators of horticulture crops was profiled at the Western Australian Avocado Grower Regional Forum in Manjimup today.
A new research project that builds on pioneering trials confirming native flies could be used as alternative pollinators of horticulture crops was profiled at the Western Australian Avocado Grower Regional Forum in Manjimup today.
The project will examine pathways to managed native fly crop pollination - helping future proof Australian horticulture production, in the face of declining honey bee populations and biosecurity threats.
The work expands on the initial 'Managing flies for crop pollination' project, led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) together with a range of collaborative partners, backed by Hort Innovation co-investment.
Four of the most promising native fly species for commercial pollination will be examined, including the drone fly (Eristalis tenax), golden native drone fly (Eristalinus punctulatus), western blue-bodied blowfly (Calliphora dubia) and European blue-bottle blowfly (C. vicina).
Scientists will evaluate the risk, costs and benefits, as well as explore potential partners and options for large scale rearing and deployment of native flies for horticultural pollination.
The new five-year project is led by commercial applied research and seed technology provider SeedPurity and includes collaborators from the University of New England and DPIRD.
DPIRD research scientist David Cook said a key component of the WA research was to examine methodologies and technology to rear native fly populations for managed release.
"Our team will investigate deployment and retention strategies to keep flies in the target crop, such as sterilisation and the deployment of slow-release lures, which will be developed in collaboration with the WA ChemCentre," Dr Cook said.
"The WA research will also examine diet options to match fly size with flower development to optimise pollination, as smaller adults cost less to feed and do not disperse as far.
"We will also look at modifying orchard habitats to attract and sustain a wider variety of flies and other insect pollinating species, including border plantings, interrow plantings and artificial ponds to aid the development of hover fly larvae on farm."
Sterile flies will be used in the research to mitigate any potential risks and to evaluate environmental impacts associated with releasing commercially reared native flies.
While the previous research proved native flies could successfully pollinate avocados, cherries and vegetable seeds, this new research will be extended to evaluate their performance in apple and pear orchards.
The project will also examine native fly pollination potential in crops grown under cover, such as netting, which does not typically favour bee foraging and pollination.
Dr Cook said the native flies pollination option offered significant logistical flexibility for commercial use, with numbers quickly scalable in just 10 to 14 days from egg to adult, as well as cost benefits.
"DPIRD's work revealed an economic advantage of employing native flies for pollination, with the cost of rearing one million blow flies just one-quarter the cost of supplying one million honey bees in hives," he said.
"We anticipate the fly numbers released will be upped to twice that of bees, which still makes them an economically viable option."
The WA research is already underway, with a pilot fly rearing facilities established at DPIRD's Jandakot site, as well as a commercial rearing facility in Tasmania.
Pollination is vital to the success of many fruit and vegetable crops, with pollination-dependant crops in Australia worth almost $6 billion per year.
Hort Innovation General Manager Production and Sustainability R&D Anthony Kachenko said pollination underpins Australia's horticulture production and protecting it is critical.
"Pollination is fundamental to the productivity and profitability of Australia's horticulture industries," Dr Kachenko said.
"This research highlights the role native flies could play as part of a broader, multi‑pronged approach to safeguarding pollination, helping give growers more options to manage risk now and into the future."
For more information on the role of flies as pollinators of horticulture crops visit dpird.wa.gov.au and search for 'native flies', while details on the 'Managing flies for crop pollination' project is available on the Hort Innovation website.
The 'Managing flies for crop pollination' project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy and Frontiers co investment from DPIRD, UNE, WSU, SeedPurity Pty Ltd, UWA, Manchil Altmann Pty Ltd and with matched contributions from the Australian Government. Additional support has been provided by Avocados Australia, APAL, Bejo Seeds, the Tasmanian Pollination Fund, South Pacific Seeds and DPIRD. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.
