The federal government is investing $750 million in a one-of-a-kind 'fly factory' near the Texas-Mexico border to stop the spread of a deadly cattle parasite known as the screwworm.
The new facility, under construction at Moore Air Base outside Edinburg, will mass-produce sterile screwworm flies. The goal is to release up to 300 million sterile males every week across the region. When they mate with wild females, no offspring are produced, cutting the parasite population dramatically over time.
Screwworm flies are not ordinary pests. Their larvae infest open wounds, eating living flesh in livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans. The parasite was eradicated in the United States decades ago, but recent outbreaks in southern Mexico have raised alarms, prompting fears it could cross back into Texas and devastate the state’s cattle industry.
Agriculture experts warn that a widespread outbreak would carry staggering costs for ranchers and consumers alike. “If screwworms gain a foothold in Texas, the impact on our livestock economy could be catastrophic,” said officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The factory is part of a broader biosecurity strategy that includes detection dogs at the border, new fly traps, and cooperation with Mexican authorities to contain outbreaks before they spread north. Ranchers in Texas say they welcome the investment, viewing it as a critical safeguard for an industry already under strain from extreme weather and rising costs.
While the idea of breeding millions of flies may sound unusual, scientists emphasize that the sterile insect technique is a proven method. It was first used in the 1950s to wipe out screwworms in the U.S., and experts believe scaling it up now is the best defense against the parasite’s return.
Construction of the facility is expected to finish within the next two years, with full-scale production beginning shortly after.
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