NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Researchers across the country are working on new ways to eliminate New World screwworm as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expands its investment in technologies aimed at stopping the destructive livestock pest.
The research is part of USDA’s “Grand Challenge” initiative, which is funding projects to develop new tools to prevent and eradicate New World screwworm before it can spread further in the United States.
Agricultural technology developer Brian Witherbee says the investment is timely, as warmer winters and changing weather patterns are allowing insect populations to expand.
“We’ve got less cold winters and warmer weather. That just allows for the insect populations to continue to grow and move,” Witherbee said. “This is going to continue to be a problem, not just with New World screwworm, but other pests as well.”
Witherbee says USDA’s broad approach to funding research gives scientists the opportunity to develop technologies that can be used not only against screwworm, but also against future invasive pests.
“They knew it was something that they needed to throw everything and the kitchen sink at,” he said. “Let’s hope that we continue to follow through with some of these technologies and we’re able to put them away just for when we really do need them—or as other pests start to invade the U.S. as well.”
He remains optimistic that researchers will once again find a way to eradicate New World screwworm from the United States.
USDA says it is currently monitoring more than 21,000 wild animals for signs of New World screwworm and reports there is no evidence of widespread infestation at this time.
