Is the screw worm as a big a threat at some believe?

The New World screw worm is attempting a comeback on U.S. soil. It’s not a welcome one.

Here is an interview about this pest with Nancy Hinkle, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Screwworms are the larval stage of a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body cavities of any warm-blooded animal. (Yes, that includes the eyes, mouth, ears and other body openings.) The maggots burrow into and feed on the flesh of their host, feasting on their tissues.

“Speaking as a scientist and an animal lover, I would just as soon eradicate screwworms from the face of the Earth,” said Nancy Hinkle, a professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Hinkle is also the UGA Cooperative Extension veterinary entomologist for the state of Georgia.

Is the worm a danger to you? Well, it does attack dogs and cats. Nancy tells you what you need to know. Get your subscription today.