22/10/2026
🌱When most people think about protecting the Northern Territory’s agricultural industries, they probably don’t picture tiny wasps. But for Sarah Bonney, an Entomologist based at Berrimah Farm, these insects could play an important role in helping Territory growers reduce pest impacts and pesticide use.
Sarah’s work focuses on one of the biggest challenges facing fruit producers, fruit flies. 🥭🪰
"Two of the main pest species we deal with are the Queensland fruit fly and the Jarvis’ fruit fly," Sarah said.
"My role is to look for parasitoid wasps, which are tiny wasps that attack fruit flies. They grow inside the fruit fly larvae and stop them from developing."
While the concept may sound unusual, biological control using beneficial insects has been successfully used around the world to manage agricultural pests.
Sarah and her team are conducting surveys across Darwin to better understand the parasitoid wasp species already present in the environment and whether they could be used more effectively to help control fruit fly populations.
"We’ve already found two species that are known in Australia," she said.
"What we’re trying to work out is how many wasps we have in the Darwin region and whether populations are at a level where they can naturally help suppress fruit flies.
"In the future, there may be opportunities to breed them in the laboratory and release them more broadly."
The research is important because fruit flies can cause significant damage to crops. Infested fruit becomes unsellable as larvae feed inside it, while even minor damage can make fruit look less appealing to consumers.
Fruit fly management is also critical for maintaining market access, as some interstate and international markets have strict requirements around fruit fly risks.
"Using beneficial insects can help reduce our reliance on pesticides," Sarah said.
"That’s good for growers, can reduce costs, and supports more sustainable pest management."
Originally from Canberra, Sarah developed her passion for insects while studying biology and zoology at university.
"Everyone else was interested in the cute, cuddly animals or marine life – I just really liked insects."
That interest led her into research projects involving ants and eventually into the field of entomology.🐜
After completing her studies, Sarah joined the Northern Territory Government and has spent the past 14 years building her career in the Territory.
Today, Sarah combines her passion for insects with practical research that supports Territory agriculture. Whether she is conducting field surveys, identifying beneficial insects or exploring new approaches to pest management, her work contributes to protecting crops, supporting growers and strengthening the sustainability of the Northern Territory’s agricultural sector.
