Deconstructing the eradication of new world screwworm in North America: retrospective analysis and climate warming effects.

ABSTRACT: Before its eradication from North America, the subtropical-tropical new world screwworm fly Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) invaded southwestern temperate areas of the U.S.A., where it caused myiasis in wildlife and livestock. Outbreaks of the fly occurred during years when adult migrants were carried northward on North American monsoon winds from the northern areas of Mexico and south Texas. We deconstruct, retrospectively, the biology and the effect of weather on the eradication of the fly in North America. Screwworm was found to be an ideal candidate for eradication using the sterile insect technique (SIT) because females mate only once, whereas males are polygynous, and, although it has a high reproductive potential, field population growth rates are low in tropical areas. In northe

SUBMITTER: Gutierrez AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6849717 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature