Researchers using ‘eBeam’ to battle New World Screwworm

A national effort to combat New World screwworm that includes producing sterile flies in the U.S. via electron beam, or eBeam, is underway between Texas A&M AgriLife and the Office of Radiological Security, which is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Texas A&M AgriLife and NNSA are exploring safer alternatives to high-radioactivity technologies to address NWS and other invasive arthropods. The eBeam, technology used to halt fly reproduction, is a potentially safer alternative to high-radioactivity cobalt-60 gamma sterilization.

The effort will expand collaboration with other academic institutions to advance the best radiological security practices nationwide.

“We must continue advancing critical science so we are prepared not only for the New World screwworm but for other invasive arthropods that will challenge us in the future,” Phillip Kaufman, head of the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, said in a recent release.

The U.S.-Mexico border is a crucial area in the fight against the devastating pest, which recently appeared within 70 miles south of the border, according to USDA.

The National Center for Electron Beam Research will lead sterilization activities against NWS and was instrumental in the development of eBeam protocols for sterile insect technique against the pest. Sterile insect technique involves releasing large numbers of sterilized male screwworms into the environment to halt their reproduction and populations. The strategy is a proven solution for eradicating NWS and is essential to U.S. agriculture security.

After extensive modeling and testing on a surrogate species, Cochliomyia macellaria, which has similar biology to NWS, Texas A&M researchers are confident that eBeam can effectively sterilize male screwworms, Cochliomyia hominivorax, without relying on high-activity radioactive material.

“This collaboration with NNSA enables Texas A&M AgriLife to contribute innovative agriculture research that is essential to our nation’s food security,” says Suresh Pillai, AgriLife Research professor and director of the National Center for Electron Beam Research. “We are proud to support their mission to enhance the security of the United States.”

Learn more about New World screwworm and find emerging control information at AgriLife Extension’s webpage on the pest.