ATHENS, Ga. (RFD News) — Researchers say sterile flies will play a key role in controlling livestock parasites.
The University of Georgia is home to the world’s only black fly colony, where researchers study insect production techniques similar to those that will be used to support animal health. Sterile male flies are released to mate with wild females, preventing eggs from hatching and gradually reducing the population.
The UGA lab can produce up to 300,000 insect specimens in a single runway at any given time.
While they are not directly involved with the USDA’s fight against New World Screwworm, researchers say sterile fly techniques they study are similar to the protocol used to eradicate the pest, and these methods have been successful in the past.
