The screwworm fly, which is a metallic green-blue color with large orange eyes, is about twice the size of a common house fly. COURTESY PHOTO| DENISE BONILLA, USDA-APHIS
The screwworm gets its name from the way it burrows into open wounds on an animal, tearing through the tissue with its sharp mouth hooks. COURTESY PHOTO | HEATHER WALDEN, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The New World screwworm has been making headlines lately, and in Texas, it’s top of mind for many. In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended importations of cattle, horses and bison from Mexico into the U.S. to prevent New World screwworm movement north following detection in Veracruz, Mexico.The screwworm fly, a metallic green-blue fly with large orange eyes, is about twice...
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