New Facility to Combat New World Screwworm Announced

(Washington, D.C., March 9, 2026) — Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) revealed plans for a groundbreaking construction project: a state-of-the-art sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. This facility represents a crucial aspect of Secretary Rollins’ comprehensive five-prong strategy to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS), enhancing the USDA’s capabilities in safeguarding livestock, wildlife, and public health across the United States.

Collaboration with USACE

USACE will play a significant role in this initiative, overseeing the design, engineering, and construction phases of the facility. “The Army Corps of Engineers stands as an indispensable partner in this endeavor, underscoring the Trump Administration’s nationwide commitment to battling the New World Screwworm threat emanating from Mexico,” stated U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

“Their unrivaled engineering expertise and proven history of delivering intricate projects ensures the establishment of a modern, resilient facility capable of protecting American agriculture from invasive species for many years.” The facility will be a pioneering installation on U.S. soil, aimed at reducing reliance on foreign sterile fly sources.

Importance of the Sterile Fly Production Facility

According to Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham, commanding general of USACE, “For over 250 years, USACE has contributed to national security through engineering solutions to our most formidable challenges. We are honored to collaborate with the USDA on this groundbreaking Sterile Fly Facility, which is a vital investment in our agricultural, public, and economic future.” This partnership combines USDA’s mission-focused approach with USACE’s engineering prowess, moving closer to eradicating a significant biological threat.

How the Sterile Insect Technique Works

The sterile fly production facility will feature advanced biosecurity measures, where New World Screwworm flies are bred, sterilized via irradiation, and released into targeted regional areas. Female NWS flies only mate once, meaning that when they mate with a sterile male, they produce non-hatching eggs. This strategy, known as the Sterile Insect Technique, has seen immense success globally for decades, offering an environmentally sound solution to pest control.

When implemented alongside monitoring, restrictions on animal movement, and community education, the Sterile Insect Technique serves as a robust method for managing and eradicating New World Screwworm populations.

Facility Expectations and Goals

The USDA currently produces around 100 million sterile flies weekly from the COPEG facility in Panama and distributes them within affected regions in Mexico. In addition, USDA has allocated $21 million for renovations on an existing fruit fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, which will double NWS production capacity upon completion. With expert technical support from APHIS, sterile fly production at this facility is anticipated to start by summer 2026.

The new facility at Moore Air Base will stand as the sole U.S. based sterile fly production site, working in conjunction with facilities in Panama and Mexico to eradicate the NWS and safeguard the U.S. agriculture sector.

Construction is set to commence later this spring, with the production facility expected to achieve an initial capacity of 100 million sterile flies weekly by November 2027. Future expansions aim to boost this figure to 300 million flies weekly.

Understanding the New World Screwworm Threat

The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae cause significant health issues in warm-blooded animals, leading to considerable economic detriment if left unchecked. The United States successfully eradicated this pest in 1966 and has maintained its status through rigorous sterile fly programs and international cooperation.

About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

USACE ranks among the world’s leading public engineering, design, and construction management organizations. With over 35,000 employees globally, USACE supplies engineering solutions that bolster military construction, enhance water resources infrastructure, promote environmental stewardship, and support federal agencies. Their mission extends to fortifying national security, stimulating the economy, and mitigating disaster risks.

Learn More

For additional insights regarding the New World Screwworm and USDA’s initiatives, please visit Screwworm.gov.

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