New World Screwworm

New World Screwworm

New World screwworm is a harmful fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals by infesting open wounds, potentially causing serious injury or death if untreated. In response to increased screwworm activity in Mexico, the Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) is leading efforts to detect the pest and protect Arizona's livestock.

Signs and symptoms

small fly on leaf with orange eyes and green back new world screwworm

New World screwworm basics

Extension experts outline how to protect your livestock from screwworm by checking wounds often, treating wounds quickly and reporting suspected cases using sampling kits.

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New World Screwworm collection kit

Extension support for ranchers

The Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) is providing early detection kits and on the ground support to ranchers across Arizona.

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