In an extraordinary effort to protect the North American continent from a devastating pest, the United States, in collaboration with Panama, is air-dropping millions of sterile screwworm flies each week. This initiative, humorously dubbed the “Great American Worm Wall,” is a critical component of a decades-long program designed to keep the continent free from the new world screwworm. This topic was discussed in a recent video by Sam Denby on his YouTube channel Half as Interesting so let’s see what he had to say.
The Screwworm Menace
Denby says that the New World screwworm is no ordinary pest. These flies, twice the size of a common housefly, pose a significant threat to warm-blooded animals, including livestock, pets, and even humans. Female screwworms lay hundreds of eggs in open wounds of animals, and once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the flesh of the host, causing severe pain and often death.
A Revolutionary Discovery
The backbone of the Great American Worm Wall lies in a discovery made by entomologist Edward F. Kipling. Denby says how Kipling found that female screwworms mate only once in their lifetime. By sterilizing male flies through exposure to radioactive Cobalt-60 during their pupal stage, Kipling devised a method to disrupt the breeding cycle of these pests. When these sterilized males mate with wild females, no offspring are produced, effectively reducing the population over time.
The Bug Factory
At the heart of this operation is a bug factory located in Pacora, Panama. Here, 115 employees work tirelessly to produce approximately 20 million sterile screwworms each week. Denby describes how the flies are raised in temperature and humidity-controlled environments and fed a mixture of reconstituted milk, egg, and powdered cow’s blood. Once mature, they are sterilized using radiation and prepared for their unique mission.
The Aerial Assault
The sterile screwworms are then transported to airports, sorted into trays, and chilled to make them sleepy. They are loaded onto retrofitted military planes and air-dropped over the Panama-Colombia border. Each four-hour flight disperses about 2.1 million flies, which wake up mid-air and spread out to mate with wild screwworms, effectively halting the pest’s reproduction.
Ground Operations
In addition to the aerial drops, ground operations play a vital role in the project’s success. Teams on the ground inspect livestock and apply anti-parasite treatments to any animals found with screwworm infestations. These measures ensure that any fertile screwworms that slip through the aerial net do not spread the infestation further.
Historical Success
According to Denby, the sterile insect technique has been remarkably successful. After initial trials in the southeastern United States, the screwworm was eradicated from the region by 1959. The program then expanded westward, and by 1966, the entire continental United States was declared screwworm-free. The strategy later extended into Mexico and Central America, with the US and partnering countries sharing the costs based on the value of livestock saved.
International Cooperation
The US has worked closely with countries throughout Central America to maintain this pest-free status. Agreements with Mexico and other Central American nations have shifted the frontline of screwworm eradication efforts to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a narrow region easier to manage. This cooperation has led to the successful elimination of screwworms from all participating countries, with only a few outbreaks managed effectively when they occur.
The Cost of Protection
The Great American Worm Wall costs around $15 million annually. While this may seem substantial, the benefits far outweigh the costs, saving billions of dollars in livestock losses and protecting the livelihoods of farmers across the continent. The program’s success is a testament to what can be achieved when scientific ingenuity meets international cooperation.
“Science is Important”
People in the comments shared their thoughts: “I can’t remember his name but there was a congressman who did elaborate shamings of “wasteful” government projects, he tore into the screwworm research saying the government had better things to do than study how flies have sex. And now it saves approximately $985 million dollars in dead cattle and other livestock every year. And prevents an enormous amount of human suffering and death. Science is important, even seemingly ridiculous inquiries, and deserves more of our public funding.”
Some approached the topic jokingly: “Imagine walking around there and all of a sudden a bunch of worms fall from the sky onto you”
Science Solving Complex Problems
The Great American Worm Wall is a fascinating example of how science and cooperation can solve complex problems. It highlights the importance of ongoing research, investment in innovative solutions, and the need for international partnerships to tackle challenges that know no borders. While the notion of dropping millions of worms from planes might sound like something out of a science fiction novel, it is a real and effective strategy that safeguards the health and economy of an entire continent.
The next time you hear about a seemingly bizarre or outlandish scientific endeavor, remember the Great American Worm Wall. It serves as a powerful reminder that even the most unconventional solutions can have a profound impact on our world.
Similar Interventions for Other Pests
What are your thoughts? How do you think the Great American Worm Wall reflects the broader implications of scientific innovation and international cooperation in solving global problems? Considering the cost and complexity of the Great American Worm Wall, do you believe similar large-scale environmental interventions could be justified for other pests or environmental issues? Why or why not? What ethical considerations should be taken into account when implementing biological control methods such as the sterile insect technique?
To dive deeper into this topic, check out the full video on Half as Interesting’s YouTube channel here.
