Texas – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has announced a renewed initiative to tackle the reemergence of the New World Screwworm (NWS), a parasite that poses significant threats to American agriculture and livestock. In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is spearheading the deployment of an improved synthetic bait called Swormlure-5.
The New World Screwworm, once eradicated from the United States in the 1960s, resurfaced in isolated outbreaks in the 1970s. Previous eradication efforts successfully combined the release of sterile flies, the use of earlier versions of Swormlure attractants, and targeted insecticide applications. Swormlure is designed to lure adult screwworm flies by mimicking the scent of open wounds, drawing them to traps where they can be eliminated.
Commissioner Miller emphasized the urgency of the situation: “This is a nationwide crisis with potential massive implications for American agriculture, which could result in billions of dollars in economic losses.” He added that relying solely on sterile fly releases is no longer sufficient. “That’s why we’re applying a little cowboy logic and bringing back Swormlure, now with an enhanced formula that’s more powerful and effective than ever.”
Swormlure-5 builds on previous versions, offering a more potent synthetic attractant that specifically targets screwworm and blow flies while sparing beneficial insects such as honeybees and monarch butterflies. Research and past deployments indicate the bait can reduce fly populations by approximately 90% within two to four weeks, with the remainder eliminated through sterile fly releases.
This renewed effort aims to enhance early detection and suppression of screwworm populations, protecting millions of cattle, sheep, goats, deer, pets, and even humans from infestation. TDA will coordinate closely with federal agencies, Mexican officials, and other partners to deploy specialized traps in suspected hotspot areas.
Commissioner Miller concluded, “We’ve beaten the NWS before, and we’ll do it again. It will take all hands on deck, and I believe Swormlure-5 bait is the game-changer that will get us there.” This initiative underscores Texas’s leadership role in agricultural biosecurity and its commitment to safeguarding the state’s vital farming and livestock industries.
