Texas – The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) continues to lead efforts against the New World Screwworm (NWS) threat by developing a cutting-edge attractant called TDA Swormlure. This new tool is designed to track screwworm fly movement and proactively eliminate them before they spread.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller emphasized the importance of action over words in protecting the state’s $15 billion cattle industry. “I instructed my Biosecurity team to develop an effective screwworm lure,” Miller said. “TDA Swormlure marks a serious upgrade in our efforts to protect Texas livestock from NWS, now about 370 miles south of Texas.”
While the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), used from the 1930s to the 1970s, remains important, Miller noted that relying solely on sterile flies is outdated. “New and improved approaches are required,” he said. “TDA Swormlure marks a new chapter in prevention, supported by science and smarter tools.”
The attractant features a sophisticated chemical blend enclosed in a proprietary polymer with an easy-to-use delivery system. It is currently being tested in Panama, a known screwworm hotspot, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Early feedback has been promising, with expectations that the traps will outperform existing options.
Miller also highlighted ongoing collaborations with the USDA, the Food and Drug Administration, and industry leaders to develop a comprehensive toolkit against screwworms. This includes a TDA Swormlure fly trap capable of killing up to 90% of flies on contact, a new Ivermectin feed additive for livestock and deer, and a cattle vaccine in development to kill screwworm larvae.
“We’re taking real action with effective solutions to stop NWS in its tracks,” Miller said. “This is Texas innovation in action, and it’s exactly what our agricultural industry needs.”
