Fruitpiercing moth bait
This expression of interest has been publicly available online since April 2015. Any interest received in the fruitpiercing moth bait will be considered dependent upon departmental operations and acceptable terms and conditions.
Agri-Science Queensland has developed a bait to attract and kill fruitpiercing moths (Eudocima spp.). The pest is common in eastern and northern Australia, the Pacific, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Currently, there are no insecticidal sprays for these pests, and netting trees and bagging fruit or lights are not economical options.
The fruitpiercing moth bait can be hung from trees. Its wax coating limits both the loss of the toxicant inside and access by non-target species.
The bait can be frozen before waxing for up to six months, which provides flexible storage and transport options.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority found that maximum residue limits are not necessary for the bait's two toxicants, which will help simplify registration. The small amount of toxicant should not pose a threat to mammals or birds.
Objective
Agri-Science Queensland, a service of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF, the department) is inviting expressions of interest for commercialising the baits, with a view to obtaining a licence to manufacture, promote and sell the technology. Potential exists for further collaborative research and development.
Market opportunities
These moths attack at least 50 different fruits. Any damage that goes undetected in the packing shed means a loss of sound fruit in cartons. Globally, losses are in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Baits should have a ready market in a range of tree fruit industries, but particularly in citrus and several tropical fruit industries.
Australia, the Pacific, Asia and South Africa have shown interest in the baits. The backyard market is also potentially large.
Intellectual property
The product is owned by the State of Queensland, through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The State of Queensland filed patent application PCT/AU02/01203 for the bait. The Australian standard patent 2002331417 was filed in September 2003 (now lapsed).
Licencing and royalties
To be negotiated.
EOI components and process (including evaluation where required)
As this EOI has been open since 2015, any interest in the technology may be discussed on a case-by-case basis, and will be dependent on current departmental operations and acceptable terms and conditions being able to be reached.
DAF reserves the right to enter into negotiations and contractual arrangements with any organisation until a commercial contract is in place.
Further information
For all commercialisation enquiries, please contact the Customer Service Centre for further information.
CAVEAT: Following closing of the EOI, an evaluation panel will review the submissions and progress accordingly. If no submissions are received by the closing date, DAF reserves the right to directly approach and negotiate a commercial arrangement or consider an offer from an external party. The release of an EOI is an open process meeting the principles of probity - open, fair, equitable and transparent.