Texas center to disperse sterile screwworm flies to block parasite it spawns
#Screwworm #USDA #Texas #Sterile Insect Technique #Livestock Protection #Biological Control #Parasite Prevention
📌 Key Takeaways
- The USDA opened its first domestic sterile screwworm fly dispersal center in decades in McAllen, Texas.
- The facility is designed to block the New World screwworm, an aggressive parasite that feeds on the flesh of living animals.
- Sterile insect technique (SIT) involves releasing millions of sterile flies to prevent the local population from successfully breeding.
- This initiative aims to protect the multi-billion dollar U.S. livestock industry from potential infestations migrating from the south.
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Agriculture, Biosecurity, Science
📚 Related People & Topics
United States Department of Agriculture
Department of the US government
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an executive department of the United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and production, works to assure food safety, protects natural resources, ...
Texas
U.S. state
# Texas **Texas** (/ˈtɛksəs/) is a state in the South Central region of the United States. It is the second-largest U.S. state by both land area and population. Known as the "Lone Star State," it possesses a diverse geography and a major maritime presence. ## Geography and Borders Texas is charact...
Cochliomyia
Genus of insects
Cochliomyia is a genus in the family Calliphoridae, known as blowflies, in the order Diptera. Cochliomyia is commonly referred to as the New World screwworm flies, as distinct from Old World screwworm flies. Four species are in this genus: C. macellaria, C. hominivorax, C. aldrichi, and C. minima.
📄 Original Source Content
The U.S. has opened its first center for dispersing sterile screwworm flies from U.S. soil in decades in southern Texas