The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) announced the release of the first batch of 2.5 million sterile cattle screwworm flies in southern Chihuahua. The insects were produced at the Metapa de Domínguez plant, Chiapas, as part of the federal strategy to eradicate this pest that mainly affects cattle.
Production and dispersion
The National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) completed the first cycle of production and sterilization of pupae on July 24. These were shipped to Tampico and then transferred to Chihuahua. The flies were placed in terrestrial dispersion chambers in the municipality of Coronado.
To differentiate sterile insects from wild ones, the pupae are stained with green dye. When opened, the dye impregnates the adult fly, facilitating its identification in the field.
“This action represents a milestone because it is the first cycle of flies produced and sterilized in Mexico since 2012,” said Javier Calderón Elizalde, chief director of Senasica.
Calderón supervised the final works of the batch at the Chiapas plant, which began operations in the last week of June. He noted that production will be gradual and uninterrupted, with the goal of reaching 100 million insects by the end of the year.
Benefits for livestock
The official recognized the efforts of producers and society to agree on solutions that benefit Mexican livestock. The eradication of the screwworm reduces economic losses and improves animal health in the country’s livestock regions.
