NEW WORLD SCREWWORM

State officials hoping for the best, preparing for the worst
  • The USDA describes the New World Screwworm as a metallic green-blue fly with large orange eyes, about twice the size of a common house fly. NWSs do not bite animals; their damage comes from laying eggs in the open wounds of living, warm-blooded animals. The immature fly larvae feed on the living tissues of hosts, burrowing into the animal's tissue, causing tremendous damage and often resulting in the host's death. USDA Photo
    The USDA describes the New World Screwworm as a metallic green-blue fly with large orange eyes, about twice the size of a common house fly. NWSs do not bite animals; their damage comes from laying eggs in the open wounds of living, warm-blooded animals. The immature fly larvae feed on the living tissues of hosts, burrowing into the animal's tissue, causing tremendous damage and often resulting in the host's death. USDA Photo
    The folks at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Animal Health Commission are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.In late June, the state agencies announced the formation of a joint response team tasked with devising a plan aimed at helping defend the state’s multi-billion dollar livestock and wildlife industries from the potentially devastating impacts of an ...

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