U.S. plans to begin breeding billions of flies to fight a pest

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an ambitious plan to combat the destructive screwworm pest by breeding billions of sterile flies. The initiative aims to launch a new screwworm fly factory in southern Mexico by July 2026. This factory will serve as the cornerstone of a strategic effort to protect livestock and wildlife from the screwworm, which has historically caused significant economic losses in the agricultural sector. In conjunction with the factory, the USDA plans to establish a fly distribution center to efficiently disperse the sterile flies across affected regions. The sterile insect technique, which involves releasing sterilized male flies to mate with wild females, is a proven method of controlling pest populations without the use of harmful chemicals. This method has previously shown success in eradicating screwworms from the U.S. and other regions, and it is expected to provide a sustainable solution to this persistent problem. The project underscores the USDA's commitment to leveraging innovative biological control methods to safeguard agriculture and biodiversity. By investing in infrastructure and technology in Mexico, the USDA aims to create a buffer zone that prevents the northward spread of screwworms into the United States. This initiative not only promises to protect the U.S. livestock industry but also highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing agricultural challenges.

— Authored by Next24 Live