The US government plans to release billions of sterilized male New World screwworm flies over Mexico and Texas to combat a flesh-eating maggot threatening the beef industry and wildlife. This method, successfully used before, involves breeding sterile flies that mate with wild females, resulting in infertile eggs. A new factory in Mexico and a distribution center in Texas are planned to support this effort, aiming to prevent the pest's spread northward. The border remains temporarily closed to livestock imports as a precaution.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.