By Andi Anderson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking action against the threat of New World screwworm by establishing a sterile fly dispersal facility in Hidalgo County, Texas.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced this initiative to help protect livestock from this dangerous pest, which has been moving northward in Mexico and raised concerns near the U.S. border.
The New World screwworm is a type of fly whose larvae infect living tissue in warm-blooded animals, causing severe damage. These larvae feed on wounds, enlarging them and possibly leading to death if not treated.
The adult flies are about the size of houseflies with distinctive orange eyes and blue-green metallic bodies.
To stop the pest’s spread, USDA had previously closed the southern border to cattle imports. Now, it is setting up a full fly control system.
A production facility for sterile flies will also be developed at Moore Air Base, expected to take two to three years to complete. Since screwworm flies only mate once, releasing sterile males reduces the pest population effectively.
This method of control, known as the sterile insect technique, was used successfully in the U.S. in 1966 and again in Florida in 2016. The USDA is also working with state officials on emergency plans and stockpiling treatments in case the pest crosses into the U.S.
The $8.5 million facility is receiving strong support from cattle groups and lawmakers. Buck Wehrbein, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, praised the plan and highlighted the importance of sterile fly production.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also backed the effort, calling it vital for protecting livestock, agriculture, and the economy.
The USDA continues to partner with Mexico on controlling the pest at its source, ensuring a united response against the screwworm threat.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Illinois, Government & Policy, Livestock