Key facts
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is using drones and artificial intelligence to track screwworms in Texas.
- Screwworms are flesh-eating parasites affecting livestock and wildlife.
- The agency is expanding sterile fly production facilities.
- Drone surveillance is being used to detect and monitor the infestation.
- The infestation is described as growing.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is actively deploying drones equipped with artificial intelligence to detect and track the spread of screwworms in Texas. These flesh-eating parasites pose a significant threat to both livestock and wildlife populations across the state. In response to the escalating infestation, the USDA is also undertaking measures to expand its sterile fly production facilities. This initiative aims to increase the capacity for producing sterile insects, which are crucial for controlling screwworm populations through the sterile insect technique. The use of drone surveillance represents a technological advancement in the agency's efforts to monitor and manage the outbreak effectively, allowing for more precise identification of affected areas and the movement of the parasites.