Story perspectives

First U.S. Screwworm Case Sparks Funding Call, Plant Delay

6/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Texas Governor Greg Abbott says the sterile-fly plant will miss a deadline, threatening a tough summer for ranchers.
USDA confirmed a screwworm larva in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, the first U.S. case since the 1960s.
175 agricultural groups have urged funding, noting USDA has released 130 million sterile flies, plans up to 300 million at Edinburg, and warns an outbreak could cost $4.3 billion annually and $10.6 billion across the United States.

History

Historical Context

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, building on Edward Knipling’s sterile-insect technique adopted in 1958, declared the New World screwworm eradicated across the United States in 1966 after releasing more than 94 billion sterile flies. Today Governor Greg Abbott warns that delayed releases in Texas could undo that success, risking a costly resurgence.

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Story summary

Texas Governor Greg Abbott says the sterile-fly plant will miss a deadline, threatening a tough summer for ranchers.
USDA confirmed a screwworm larva in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, the first U.S. case since the 1960s.
175 agricultural groups have urged funding, noting USDA has released 130 million sterile flies, plans up to 300 million at Edinburg, and warns an outbreak could cost $4.3 billion annually and $10.6 billion across the United States.

1 / 2