The New World screwworm fly was eradicated in the US in the mids, but a new sighting in southern Mexico has authorities in Texas on alert for a little insect that can do a lot of damage. The screwworm is a parasite that can spread by flies into open wounds on animals like deer or cattle. Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are.
According to the USDA , "The name screwworm refers to the maggots' feeding behavior as they burrow screw into the wound, feeding as they go like a screw being driven into wood. The wound can become larger and deepen as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue. As a result, NWS can cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. The USDA said adult screwworm flies "are about the size of a common housefly.
They have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along their backs. In response, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division warned ranchers to monitor their animals for any sign of the parasite. Chris Farley works on a ranch in Bosque County. He told NBC 5 that stories of what screwworms used to do to Texas herds were almost legendary. After the most recent screwworm sighting, the agency temporarily shut down cattle imports from Mexico to the United States.
Miller told NBC 5 he believed that move was overkill and could drive up the cost of beef, which was already at an all-time high. Still, knowing what screwworms can do, some Texas ranchers said they planned to stay vigilant and keep the tiny terror from infecting their herds.
Skip to content. Texas Department of Agriculture. Texas warns cattle industry to watch for deadly New World screwworm fly The warning comes after the sighting of an animal infected by screwworms in the Chiapas area of southern Mexico late last year. Texas News News from around the state of Texas. Hurricanes 6 hours ago. This article tagged under: Texas Department of Agriculture Agriculture.
