


Understanding Screwworms: A Guide to Their Biology and Control
Screwworms are a type of fly that are known for their ability to infest and damage various types of livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats. These flies lay their eggs on the skin of the animals, and the larvae that hatch from these eggs feed on the flesh of the host, causing painful wounds and potentially leading to infection and death.
Screwworms are found throughout much of the world, including North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. They are particularly prevalent in warm, humid climates where the flies can breed and multiply quickly.
The screwworm is also known as the "nematocera" or "cattle grub," and it is a type of fly that belongs to the family Oestridae. The adult flies have a distinctive screw-like shape to their bodies, which gives them their common name.
Screwworms are often controlled through the use of insecticides and other chemical treatments, but these methods can be expensive and may not always be effective. In recent years, there has been some interest in using biological control methods, such as parasitic wasps that prey on the screwworm larvae, as an alternative to chemical treatments.



