Why is US planning to breed screwworm flies & dump them from planes over Mexico?
In a bizarre move, the US government is preparing to breed billions of male flies and dump them from planes over Mexico and southern Texas to protect its beef industry from the flesh-eating larvae of the New World screwworm fly. The plan is to sterilize the male flies with radiation so that they cannot reproduce with female flies and cause the population to die out.
According to a recent report, the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been working on this project for several years. The goal is to reduce the population of screwworm flies, which can cause significant damage to cattle and other livestock by laying their eggs in open wounds and eating the flesh of the infected animals.
The screwworm fly, also known as Cochliomyia hominivorax, is native to Central and South America, but it has been eradicated from the United States and Mexico through a previous campaign in the 1960s. However, in recent years, there have been reports of re-infestation in some areas, particularly in southern Texas and Mexico.
The US government’s plan to breed and release millions of sterile male screwworm flies is aimed at combating the re-infestation. The process involves breeding the flies in specialized facilities, sterilizing them with radiation, and then releasing them over the affected areas.
The sterilization process involves exposing the male flies to a specific dose of radiation that prevents them from reproducing. The female flies, which are not sterilized, will mate with the sterile males, and since the males are unable to reproduce, the population will eventually decline.
The plan is to release the sterile male flies over a wide area, including southern Texas and parts of Mexico, using specially designed planes. The flies will be dispersed over the area using a technique called “inoculative biocontrol,” which involves releasing the flies at a density that allows them to mate with the female flies in the wild.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Mexican government, and both countries have agreed to work together to combat the re-infestation. The US government has already received approval from the Mexican government to conduct the fly releases over Mexican territory.
While the plan may seem unusual, it has been used successfully in the past to combat other pests and diseases. In the 1950s and 1960s, the US government used a similar approach to eradicate the screwworm fly from the southern United States.
The re-infestation of screwworm flies is a significant concern for the beef industry, as it can cause significant economic losses and even death to infected animals. The flies can also transmit diseases such as botulism and anthrax to animals and humans.
In addition to the economic benefits, the project also has public health implications. The screwworm fly can cause serious illness and even death in humans, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
The US government’s plan to breed and release sterile male screwworm flies is an innovative approach to combating the re-infestation. While it may seem unusual, it has the potential to make a significant impact on the beef industry and public health.
