MAN-EATING FLIES RETURNING TO THE USA: THE PODCASTS THAT TELL IT ALL

            A most dangerous parasite for warm-blooded animals has returned to the U.S. via the Mexican border. These flies are flesh-eaters, from wildlife to livestock and even humans. The spiral spines of their larvae are tools to burrow in to living tissues. Cochliomyia hominivorax was first discovered in the south of the United States of America and South America in the 1960s. Measures of control and eradication kept the insect within the borders of South America, the Caribbean, and Southern Mexico until recent months. The insect is known to be capable of causing massive wounds, amputations and eventually death. In livestock, it causes weight loss, fertility difficulties and economic losses. The U.S podcast states that the country stands to lose over $100 billion in U.S. beef and cattle, if not speedily controlled.

Commonly known as the New World screw worm fly, the New World screw worm and man-eating maggot. They belong to the family Calliphoridae (blowflies) but unlike blowflies that prefer dead flesh, they thrive in living tissues. In 1998, there was a human infestation reported in New York.

                The Fun Kids Science Weekly, an educational podcast for kids, featuring the biologist, Hannah Vineer from Liverpool University. In this episode's featured interview, Hannah Vineer discusses the economic importance of the terrifying insect in North America and the destructive effects of their presence.

Although the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) was one of the first entomological methods used for control in the 60s, the sterile-male release programs are now being harnessed. Erica McAlister, in 2023, a podcast of BBC World Service, discusses the forensic entomology of this unique insect, spotting out the dazzling sheen and 

colour of the wings as elements of its unique camouflage ability.

In June 2025, Ovicast, a Teagasc Sheep podcast presented by Ciaran Lynch, held a revealing discussion with Brian McConnell, Technical Consultant for Elanco in Ireland. This podcast provided a wealth of information on the history, life cycle, and effective management measures of these insects. A discussion of treatment methods, their effectiveness, and the best method of application is presented by Brian McConnell.

The U.S. government has increased import inspections at airports and borders; wound care and fly repellent usage are recommended for livestock, and travelers from endemic countries undergo stricter inspections.

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Attack of the Screwworms: Meet Nature’s Flesh-Eating Flies

Link : https://apple.co/44JXEM8

Preventing blowfly strike

Podcast Episode ∙ Government ∙ 2025 ∙ 14 minutes, 45 seconds

Link: https://apple.co/4kBYhgB

Mexico Warns The U.S. After Finding Flesh Eating New World Screwworm Fly Larvae - Texas On High Alert

Podcast Episode ∙ Nature ∙ 2025 ∙ 6 minutes, 35 seconds

Link: https://apple.co/4nMSEPD

3. Grounding, the New World screwworm fly, a hero named Buford, and the grey wolf

Podcast Episode ∙ Home & Garden ∙ 2025 ∙ 1 hour, 24 minutes

Link: https://apple.co/4lZVdw0

Time to think about blowfly control

Podcast Episode ∙ Government ∙ 2024 ∙ 18 minutes, 7 seconds

Link: https://apple.co/4f2tsk3

Metamorphosis: Blowflies and dazzling disguise

Podcast Episode ∙ Science ∙ 2023 ∙ 27 minutes, 13 seconds

Link: https://apple.co/44OfeOV

Just Blowflies and Extreme Temperatures_2020NIJRandD_128

Podcast Episode ∙ Science ∙ 2020 ∙ 31 minutes, 11 seconds

Link:

Blowfly: risk factors, control options and application procedure

Podcast Episode ∙ Government ∙ 2021 ∙ 19 minutes, 29 seconds

Link: https://apple.co/4lP68sR

Blow Flies

Podcast Episode ∙ Natural Sciences ∙ 2009 ∙ 1 minute, 30 seconds

Link: https://apple.co/44QM8P0