Q&A: Flesh-eating screwworms have returned. Which new technologies could stop them?
They may look like any ordinary species of flies buzzing around on any given day, but the New World screwworm is quite extraordinary. Screwworm flies are highly destructive parasitic flies that feed on the tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans (though the risk to humans is low). They burrow in a spiral (screw) pattern into wounds and bodily openings such as the ears, nose and mouth,…
The New World screwworm, a highly destructive parasitic fly, feeds on the tissue of warm-blooded animals, leading to significant economic losses and animal suffering. Native to Central and North America, the screwworm was successfully eradicated in the 1960s and 1970s through a coordinated international campaign, including the sterile insect technique (SIT) and various control measures.
However, the screwworm has recently re-emerged in parts of Texas and New Mexico, causing concerns for livestock producers, wildlife managers, and public health officials due to potential billions of dollars in economic losses and significant animal suffering.
Advances in genetics, genomics, and biotechnology offer promising solutions for future screwworm control efforts. Understanding the screwworm at the genetic level, through genome sequencing, can help identify genes involved in reproduction, development, and host-seeking behavior. Researchers can then design more targeted control strategies, improving surveillance and monitoring efforts.
The original screwworm eradication campaign relied on a combination of technologies, but no single tool solved the problem. Today's response builds on that principle by combining immediate control measures with investments in next-generation technologies. These technologies include the NovoFly genetically engineered male-only screwworm strain, which is currently undergoing regulatory review for emergency use in response to the ongoing outbreak.
NovoFly is engineered to produce only male flies for release, as female flies do not survive to adulthood.
Other emerging technologies, such as genetic sex-sorting tools like SEPARATOR, can make sterile insect programs more efficient and less expensive. Additionally, gene-editing tools like CRISPR can produce sterile males without using radiation, potentially enhancing their ability to survive and compete after release. Advanced genetic population-suppression technologies, such as precision-guided sterile insect techniques (pgSIT), also show potential as future components of screwworm control programs.
While some of these technologies remain under development, others are already moving toward real-world implementation. They have the potential to become important components of future screwworm control programs, complementing existing strategies and providing decision-makers with a broader range of evidence-based options if the threat continues to expand.
The recent resurgence of screwworm highlights the need for continued vigilance and the adoption of a multi-pronged approach to control and eradicate this destructive pest.
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