Texas A&M AgriLife will play a major role in the nation’s efforts to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm after being selected to lead or collaborate on 14 research projects funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grand Challenge initiative.
The USDA recently announced $105 million in funding for 40 research projects designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to detect, control and eradicate the New World screwworm, a destructive livestock pest that poses a serious threat to animal agriculture. The projects were selected from 226 applications based on scientific merit, innovation and their potential to improve national preparedness.
Texas A&M AgriLife was chosen to lead seven projects and participate in seven others, making it one of the largest contributors to the nationwide research effort.
In addition to the newly announced projects, Texas A&M AgriLife Research is already conducting a separate USDA-funded study evaluating electron beam (eBeam) technology as a non-radioactive alternative to traditional cobalt-60 gamma irradiation for sterilizing screwworm pupae used in sterile insect release programs.
The New World Screwworm Grand Challenge focuses on four key priorities:
- Improving production of sterile screwworm flies used to suppress wild populations.
- Developing more effective traps and attractants for early detection.
- Creating new treatments to reduce the impact of infestations on livestock.
- Expanding preparedness through improved surveillance, repellents, predictive modeling and other innovative technologies.
Texas A&M AgriLife-Led Projects
Texas A&M AgriLife researchers will lead projects covering several critical areas of screwworm prevention and response.
Sterile Fly Production
- Optimizing electron beam irradiation to improve sterile insect technique programs.
Therapeutics and Treatments
- Applying lessons learned from the recent Honduras screwworm outbreak to strengthen U.S. preparedness.
- Developing a nanomaterial-based RNA biopesticide for sustainable screwworm control.
Preparedness and Response
- Studying biological controls and plant and animal interactions related to screwworm.
- Expanding livestock surveillance and rapid molecular testing.
- Using artificial intelligence to detect wounds early on beef and dairy operations.
- Developing non-invasive technology to detect screwworm larvae and determine larval sex.
Additional Collaborative Projects
Texas A&M AgriLife researchers will also collaborate with universities and private industry partners on projects involving:
- Improved chemical lures for surveillance.
- Radiation-free sterile insect technologies.
- Development of male-only screwworm strains.
- Smart trap technology and public reporting systems.
- Expanded use of electron beam sterilization.
- New botanical and synthetic larvicide formulations.
The research comes as state and federal officials continue working to keep the New World screwworm from re-establishing itself in the United States. The parasite attacks warm-blooded animals by laying eggs in open wounds, where the developing larvae feed on living tissue. Left untreated, infestations can cause severe injury or death in livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans.
Texas A&M AgriLife experts encourage livestock owners to remain vigilant by routinely checking animals for wounds, reporting suspected infestations immediately, and following recommended biosecurity practices. The new research aims to provide producers with faster detection methods, improved treatments and stronger tools to prevent future outbreaks while protecting the nation’s livestock industry.
