Mexico releases 2.5 million sterile flies against cattle pest in Chihuahua

Chihuahua, Mexico – The first batch of 2.5 million sterile male screwworms has been released in southern Chihuahua as part of a federal strategy to eradicate the cattle pest. The sterile flies were produced at a plant in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas.

The National Service of Agrifood Health, Safety, and Quality (Senasica) completed its first production and sterilization cycle of sterile pupae on July 24. These pupae were then transported to Chihuahua for release in the Coronado municipality. To distinguish them from wild flies, the pupae are dyed green, ensuring that the sterile flies can be identified once they emerge.

Javier Calderón Elizalde, the head of Senasica, hailed the effort as a milestone, noting it's the first cycle of domestically produced and sterilized flies since 2012. Senasica plans to gradually increase production to reach a target of 100 million sterile flies by the end of the year. The initiative aims to protect Mexico's cattle industry from the damaging effects of the screwworm.

Calderón Elizalde also acknowledged the collaboration between producers and the public in developing solutions beneficial to Mexican livestock farming. The sterile insect technique involves releasing large numbers of sterilized male flies, which then mate with wild females. This reduces the overall population of the pest, preventing it from laying eggs in livestock wounds.

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This action represents a milestone because it is the first cycle of flies produced and sterilized in Mexico since 2012.