The Mount Alexander Shire Council is running a series of free workshops on how to prevent an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly.
Fruit fly attacks many different types of fruits and vegetables, and if left uncontrolled, can lead to total crop losses.
Mount Alexander Shire Council coordinator Tracey Watson said the species had been reported in home garden crops in central Victoria.
"It's really important that we do what we can to keep it out of our shire or contain any outbreaks," she said.
"It could absolutely devastate our local economy and all the beautiful produce that we grow in backyards and at farms."
Two-hour information workshops will be held in Newstead, Castlemaine and Maldon later this month. Sessions will be held in Harcourt in early 2020.
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