The New World screwworm isn’t a pest most Midwestern cattle producers have ever had to think about, but veterinarians say it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Dr. Angela Varnum
Screwworm infestations begin when a female fly lays eggs on a wound or orifice of a live warm-blooded animal. Female flies are attracted to the odor of a wound or opening, such as the nasal or eye openings, umbilicus of a newborn or genitalia.
After about seven days of feeding on the infested animal’s wound, New World screwworm larvae drop to the ground, burrow into the soil and pupate.
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A goat treated for New World screwworm infestation.
Born and raised on a farm in southeastern South Dakota, Katelyn currently resides in Sioux Falls. She enjoys attending SDSU football games (her alma mater), going to farmer’s markets and visiting her parents at their family farm. Reach her at kwinberg@tristateneighbor.com.
Katelyn Winberg
Agricultural Reporter
