The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Project hosted the national conference which attracted about 150 delegates from across Australia.
The conference theme — Blue Sky Applied — highlighted blue sky research that can be applied to provide practical solutions for Australian horticulture.
The event brought together key research, findings and emerging opportunities in the management and control of the pest.
In addition to profiling the latest fruit fly research, the conference provided a conduit and extended the connections between national research, the sterile insect technique (SIT plus consortium) and fruit fly area-wide management.
A range of presentations informed and updated stakeholders on the latest progress and outcomes in fruit fly research and the practical implications involved for Australian horticulture.
Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly project coordinator Ross Abberfield described the conference as an invaluable opportunity to bring the sharpest of minds in the field together.
‘‘This is a national event and brings together researchers from each end of the professional spectrum. It enables them to look, listen, learn and connect with their peers and recognised fruit fly research scholars,’’ he said.
Key sessions and talking points over the two days included biosecurity and market access, fruit fly ecology and microbial interactions, molecular biology and genetics along with chemical ecology.
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