Texas Ramps Up Efforts to Keep 'New World Screw Worm' Out

The parasitic fly poses a threat to livestock in the state.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 7:15am

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Texas officials are taking additional steps to prevent the spread of the 'New World Screw Worm', a parasitic fly that has been moving north from Mexico and can infect and kill livestock. The state is implementing new monitoring and prevention measures to keep the pest out of Texas.

Why it matters

The 'New World Screw Worm' can have devastating impacts on the livestock industry in Texas, which is a major agricultural state. Preventing the spread of this pest is crucial to protecting the health and livelihoods of Texas ranchers and farmers.

The details

The 'New World Screw Worm' is a parasitic fly whose larvae can infect open wounds in livestock, leading to infection and potentially death if left untreated. Texas officials are working to set up new traps and monitoring stations along the Mexico border to detect any signs of the pest's arrival. They are also coordinating with federal agencies and neighboring states to share information and develop a coordinated response plan.

  • The 'New World Screw Worm' has been moving north from Mexico in recent years.

The players

Texas Officials

State government agencies and departments responsible for monitoring and preventing the spread of agricultural pests like the 'New World Screw Worm'.

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What’s next

Texas officials will continue to monitor the situation and work with federal and state partners to implement additional prevention and response measures if the 'New World Screw Worm' is detected in the state.

The takeaway

Proactive measures to keep invasive agricultural pests out of Texas are crucial to protecting the state's vital livestock industry and rural economies.