{"id":3803,"date":"2025-05-19T19:23:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T19:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agi.alabama.gov\/animalindustries\/?page_id=3803"},"modified":"2025-05-21T20:07:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T20:07:03","slug":"new-world-screwworm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/agi.alabama.gov\/animalindustries\/new-world-screwworm\/","title":{"rendered":"New World Screwworm"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New World Screwworm (NWS,\u00a0Cochliomyia hominivorax<\/em>) is a devastating pest. When NWS fly larvae (maggots)\u00a0burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.<\/p>\n

The name screwworm refers to the maggots' feeding behavior as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go like a screw being driven into wood. Maggots cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts\u2019 tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can become larger and deepen as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue. As a result, NWS can cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal.<\/p>\n

Adult screwworm flies are about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger). They have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along their backs.<\/p>\n

Report mammals and birds with the following signs:<\/p>\n