sterile flies

The USDA has opened a $21 million facility to produce millions of sterile flies to combat rising cases of a flesh-eating livestock parasite. The initiative aims to prevent the spread of screwworms, which threaten livestock health.

The USDA has opened a new $21 million facility to produce millions of sterile flies aimed at combating rising cases of a flesh-eating livestock parasite.

The USDA has opened a $21 million facility to produce millions of sterile flies to combat rising cases of screwworm, a flesh-eating livestock parasite. The initiative aims to prevent the spread of the parasite through the release of sterile flies.

The New World screwworm has reached Texas, prompting Trump officials to accelerate breeding of sterile flies to combat the threat. The parasitic fly's larvae feed on living tissues of warm-blooded animals.

The New World Screwworm has been detected in U.S. cattle, prompting the USDA to implement measures like releasing sterile flies and closing southern livestock imports. Secretary Brooke Rollins coordinated with Mexico to establish surveillance, reduce equipment duties, and secure airspace for sterile fly releases to combat the threat.

Texas lawmakers debated approaches to combat the New World screwworm, with federal officials supporting the USDA's current eradication strategy and private sectors advocating for alternative sterile fly production methods. Sterile flies are used to disrupt the screwworm's reproduction cycle.

Eight cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas. Officials are expanding surveillance, releasing millions of sterile flies, and mobilizing resources to prevent the flesh-eating parasite from spreading.

The New World screwworm parasite threatens U.S. cattle, prompting the release of sterile flies to control its spread. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins attributes the parasite's return to the Biden administration, while Democratic leaders blame former President Donald Trump's policies. The USDA plans a $1 billion response to prevent economic damage to the cattle industry.

A second case of the flesh-eating screwworm fly has been confirmed in Texas, prompting a disaster declaration by the governor and coordinated efforts with federal agencies to prevent its spread. The larvae of the parasite feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals and humans, leading to the release of sterile flies as part of containment measures.