The Next Generation of Screwworm Control

For nearly 70 years, the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been one of animal agriculture’s greatest success stories, protecting livestock across North and Central America by releasing millions of sterile screwworm flies.

That proven strategy is once again being put to the test. Since the first domestic case was confirmed in early June, 32 cases of New World screwworm have been reported in the United States, underscoring the need for both an aggressive response today and better tools for the future.

While federal and state officials focus on containing the current outbreak, researchers are asking a different question: How can the next generation of screwworm control be made faster, more efficient and better equipped for future incursions?

Today’s Sterile Insect Technique

Currently produces approximately 100 million sterile flies each week

A newly opened production facility in Mexico is expected to double that capacity by the end of 2026

Relies on mass rearing and radiation sterilization

Releases both sterile males and sterile females

Has served as the foundation of New World screwworm control for decades

Through the USDA’s New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, researchers from academia, industry and government are tackling different bottlenecks in screwworm control, from improving sterile flies and scaling production to developing new ways to eliminate screwworm larvae.

Together, these projects offer a glimpse of what the next generation of screwworm control could look like.