US Plans to Breed Flies to Fight Pest

The United States government is embarking on an ambitious plan to combat the New World Screwworm fly, a flesh-eating pest that poses a significant threat to the livestock industry and wildlife. This initiative involves the mass breeding and aerial distribution of billions of sterile flies over Mexico and southern Texas.

The New World Screwworm fly, unlike most fly species, has larvae that feed on living flesh. This characteristic makes it a formidable threat to warm-blooded animals, including cattle, wildlife, and even humans in rare cases. The pest's potential impact on the American beef industry is particularly concerning, as an infestation can lead to the death of a full-grown bovine within two weeks.

To counter this threat, scientists are employing the Sterile Insect Technique, a method that has proven successful in past eradication efforts. This approach involves breeding male flies en masse, sterilizing them through radiation, and then releasing them into the wild. When these sterile males mate with wild females, the resulting eggs are infertile, leading to a gradual reduction in the pest population.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is spearheading this effort, with plans to establish a new screwworm fly breeding facility in southern Mexico by July 2026. Additionally, a fly distribution center in southern Texas is expected to be operational by the end of the year, capable of importing and distributing flies from an existing facility in Panama if necessary.