A fly-control campaign in Texas is drawing attention for both its enormous scale and one especially unusual detail: Texas Parks and Wildlife says that more than 700 million sterile flies have already been released to help stop a flesh-eating parasite.<\/p>\n
Even more surprisingly, the insects are designed to glow under UV light.<\/p>\n
Here’s what to know<\/p>\n
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife<\/a>, the plan is to cut the pest’s reproduction by making it more likely that wild females mate with sterile males and produce no viable offspring.\u00a0<\/p>\n In an Instagram post<\/a>, the agency detailed the initiative.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Over 700,000,000 sterile flies have been released in and around areas infested with New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue,” the agency wrote.<\/p>\n Rather than trying to eliminate every fly outright, officials are using the insect’s own reproductive cycle against it.<\/p>\n “The sterile fly larvae are coated with fluorescent nontoxic dye so adult flies will glow under UV light for easy identification,” the post continued.<\/p>\n “Release the sterile squad,” Texas Parks and Wildlife wrote.<\/p>\n More background<\/p>\n Because the New World screwworm is a parasitic insect whose larvae consume living tissue, it is a serious threat to animals.\u00a0<\/p>\n When a parasite feeds on living tissue, the damage can affect pets, wildlife, and other animals that people care for, rely on, or work to protect.<\/p>\n Preventing outbreaks can spare animals from painful infestations and ease stress for the people responsible for their health and safety.<\/p>\n If adult flies can be identified under UV light, officials can more easily distinguish released sterile flies from wild ones and track how well the program is working.<\/p>\n What’s being done?<\/p>\n The effort centers on widespread release of sterile males in infested areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n As more female screwworm flies encounter those males, fewer viable offspring are produced, which can gradually suppress the destructive population.<\/p>\n The approach targets reproduction instead of relying solely on reactive treatment after animals have already been harmed.<\/p>\n Where can I learn more?<\/p>\n Texas’ sterile-fly campaign is just one piece of a major response to New World screwworm, as the articles below demonstrate.\u00a0<\/p>\n As new cases prompt quarantines and rescue restrictions across the state, officials and animal-care groups are trying several approaches at once while closely monitoring whether the releases can slow the parasite.<\/p>\n \u2022 In Texas, millions of flies falling<\/a> from the sky may be the only way to stop screwworm.<\/p>\n \u2022 In Zavala County, Texas, a second flesh-eating screwworm case<\/a> triggered a quarantine and more sterile-fly releases.<\/p>\n \u2022 Around Austin, Wildlife Rescue stopped accepting mammals and birds<\/a> from seven counties due to screwworm precautions.<\/p>\n Being able to spot sterile flies makes it easier to track the campaign as part of a wide-scale effort to monitor the spread, protect animals, and contain the outbreak.<\/p>\n Get TCD’s free newsletters<\/a> for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here<\/a>.<\/p>\n