What Is A Screwworm And Why Is It Dangerous For Cattle?

I have heard of redworms, leafworms, and earthworms, but have never heard of a screwworm. What is it, and why is it dangerous for Michigan's cattle farms?

What is a Screwworm?

When it comes to worms in Michigan, the first one that comes to mind is the redworm. I have used redworms for fishing since I was big enough to put one on a hook. I have caught more varieties of fish with them than with any store-bought lure.

A screwworm is not a worm found under a rock or railroad tie, it's a fly. The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common house fly or a little larger. It has orange eyes, a blue, green, or grey body, and three dark stripes down the back.

Screwworm Outbreak Threatens Michigan Livestock Industry

The screwworm fly lays its eggs in wounds of livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. The eggs grow into larvae (maggots) that burrow into the flesh of an animal. The wound will become larger and deeper as additional maggots hatch and consume living tissue. The maggots can cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal.

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The last thing any livestock farmer in Michigan wants is something that will cause death to cattle.

Screwworms can infect cattle, goats, horses, bison, pigs, and sometimes poultry, and even infect people's dogs and cats.

According to WOOD, it's not tariffs that have stopped the imports of cattle into the United States from Mexico, but flesh-eating parasites called screwworms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended all cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico.

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Currently, cattle infected by screwworms have reached 700 miles from the U.S. border. If this potential outbreak of screwworms crosses into the U.S., it could devastate the livestock industry.

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