What is New World Screwworm

New World Screwworm (NWS, Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a devastating pest. When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.

NWS is endemic in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and countries in South America. Using sterile insect technique, we eradicated…