USDA Releases Billion Sterile Flies | Jefferson City News

The USDA is launching a massive, high-stakes campaign to eradicate the deadly screwworm fly by releasing a billion sterile males in Florida — a bold move designed to crash wild populations by preventing reproduction. This pest, which lays eggs in open wounds and feeds on living tissue, nearly wiped out livestock decades ago before being contained — but it’s back, likely brought in via infected cattle from South America. With quarantines and treatments already in place, the sterile insect technique could be the key to permanent eradication — if enough sterile flies mate with wild females, and no new invasions occur. Officials urge anyone spotting signs of infestation to report it immediately — this is a race against time to protect U.S. agriculture and wildlife. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b01a622c6d0708c1