San Antonio Chosen To Be New World Screwworm Research Site

Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screw-worm fly, or screw-worm for short, is a species of parasitic fly that is well known for the way in which its larvae (maggots) eat the living tissue. (Shutterstock)

Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio is the chosen site of major research to stop the spread of the New World screwworm.

Research company Flyttr plans to use Texas Biomed’s Biosafety Level 3 containment lab to conduct the research, starting in the next few weeks. The project is expected to create 40 local jobs.

The New World screwworm is a parasite that poses a threat to livestock, wildlife, and pets. Researchers say their goal is to stop the insect from multiplying.