The U.S. government unveiled an $8.5 million plan to combat the spread of New World screwworm flies, a devastating pest threatening livestock. A new insect dispersal facility in Texas will breed millions of sterile male flies to disrupt reproduction. This complements a similar facility in Panama and efforts to convert a Mexican facility. The initiative aims to prevent the flies, which cause flesh-eating larvae, from reaching U.S. borders, echoing a successful eradication program from the 1960s. The plan includes a $21 million investment in a Mexican facility and aims to release up to 300 million sterile flies weekly.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.