ATHENS, Ga. (RFD News) — Researchers say sterile flies will play a key role in controlling New World screwworm as efforts continue to stop the pest’s spread.
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 combat screwworm. Sterile male flies are released to mate with wild females, preventing eggs from hatching and gradually reducing the population.
Researchers say the technique has been used successfully before, but controlling New World screwworm across a larger region will take time.
The UGA lab can produce up to 300,000 insect specimens in a single runway at any given time.
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