In Texas will create a factory that will produce 300 million flies a week

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sent more than $690 million to build a facility in Texas that plans to produce up to 300 million sterile flies a week. Insects will be used to fight the New World meat fly, the larvae of which affect living tissues of animals and humans. Funding information is published in US government documents.

The larvae of this parasite penetrate into open wounds and feed on the tissues of a living organism. Insects pose a special danger to farm animals, but they can also affect people.

To reduce the number of pests, American experts intend to use the method of sterile insects. The flies will be bred under special conditions and then irradiated, depriving them of the ability to produce offspring.

After treatment, the insects are released into the natural environment. They will be able to mate with wild individuals, but they will not give offspring. The gradual increase in the number of such matings should lead to a decrease in the parasite population.

Construction began in April at Moore Air Force Base in Texas. It will be the only U.S. plant specializing in the production of sterile flies to combat this type of pest.

According to the plans of the American Ministry of Agriculture, by the end of 2027, the enterprise should reach a capacity of 100 million insects per week. By the end of 2028, the figure is expected to increase to 300 million.