Screwworm Eradication Program
4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine
Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science
Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu
Objectives
Discuss the eradication of screwworms from the U.S.
Understand that health regulations are health management practices used to prevent the spread of the disease
Understand that control of disease can lead to eradication
The Pest
Adult stage 2x bigger than housefly Orange eyes Blue-gray or gray body 3 dark stripes down
body 31 day lifespan
400 eggs at a time 2,800 during its life
Life Cycle
Adult flies mate
Female lays eggs in open
wound
Larvae hatch and feed on tissue
Larvae drop to ground and become pupae
Adult flies emerge from soil
Infestations
Animals most at risk are during Docking Dehorning Castration Navels of Newborn Minor cuts Tick bites
Infestations
Symptoms Foul smelling odor Wound oozing dark liquid
Prompt action can make sure there is no outbreak like in 1950s
Photos by UC Davis Veterinary School of Medicine