The U.S. government has announced plans to construct an $8.5 million fly-breeding facility near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, marking a significant investment in combating the New World screwworm fly, a parasite that has emerged as a critical threat to livestock and human health. The initiative, detailed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), involves breeding millions of sterile male flies that will be released into the wild to prevent reproduction and curb the spread of the parasite. This approach is based on previously successful eradication efforts in the U.S., although the recent presence of the flies in Mexico has prompted urgent action.
The planned site, located at Moore Air Base in Texas, will serve as a key hub for producing and releasing these sterile flies. The strategy involves releasing the males, which, when mating with females, will prevent them from laying eggs that develop into larvae. These larvae are known to burrow into the flesh of animals, causing potentially deadly damage. The USDA has also outlined plans to convert a separate facility near the Mexico-Guatemala border into a dedicated breeding site, expected to be operational by late 2026.
Recent sightings of the flies in Mexico, within 700 miles of the U.S. border, have intensified concerns. In response, the USDA has suspended cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico, a move that highlights the economic stakes of the situation. The department has also indicated it may establish a companion breeding center at the Texas location, aiming to produce up to 300 million flies weekly. These measures underscore the significant financial and logistical investment required to manage the threat.