US sterile fly production facility is under construction

The construction of a sterile fly production facility is underway at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, to help combat New World screwworm (NWS). It is expected to help prevent the reintroduction of NWS, a pest capable of causing severe harm to livestock, wildlife, and even humans, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).¹

The facility will be the first in the US to produce sterile flies for prevention of NWS infestation near the US border with Mexico. A sterile fly dispersal facility in operation at Moore Air Base opened in February 2026.^1-3

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and USACE both announced a ceremonial groundbreaking for the sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base on April 17, 2026. Once the new facility is completed and in operation, it is expected to produce approximately 300 million sterile flies each week, according to the USACE.^1,2 Initially working on a goal of 100 million sterile flies, the facility aims to be fully operational by November 2027.⁴

“For over 250 years, USACE has engineered solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges,” Lt Gen William H. “Butch” Graham Jr, USACE, said in a news release.¹ “That’s why we’re proud…to partner with USDA and break ground on this facility, which is so much more than just a building. It is our first line of defense, representing our shared commitment to protecting our nation from a serious biological threat.”

“Breaking ground on this facility marks a major investment in safeguarding America’s livestock and the producers who feed this nation,” US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a news release.² “The [NWS] threatens the health of our herds, the stability of rural economies, and the resilience of our supply chain.”

NWS is a “devastating pest” that infests warm-blooded animals, according to the USDA. This parasitic fly lays larvae that burrow into the flesh of living animals, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans. These maggots cause severe wounds and complications that can lead to death.^5-7

In a sterile fly production facility, NWS flies are raised and sterilized in a biosecure environment using irradiation before being released in targeted areas. Female screwworm flies mate only once, and mating with sterile males results in eggs that remain unhatched, according to the USDA. The sterile insect technique is combined with surveillance, animal movement restrictions, and education and outreach as efforts aim to eradicate the NWS threat.²

In January 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration to address the threat of NWS infestation in the US, following cases reported in northern Mexico. "Although the [NWS] is not yet present in Texas or the US, its northward spread from Mexico toward the US southern border poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife," Abbott said in a news release.^5,8 “With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS response team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the reemergence of this destructive parasite. Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be.”

The sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base will be constructed by Mortenson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, at a total project cost of $610 million, according to the USACE. Upon completion, it is expected to significantly enhance the ability of the US to respond rapidly to any potential NWS outbreak by producing and distributing sterile flies to interrupt the pest’s reproductive cycle.¹

“[This] groundbreaking is a historic moment for South Texas,” US Representative Monica De La Cruz said in a news release.² “Together, we are taking a vital step to protect our cattle industry and keep our local agricultural community thriving.”

References

1. Groundbreaking ceremony marks new era in agricultural biosecurity at Moore Air Base. News release. US Army Corps of Engineers. April 21, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.swf.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4465585/groundbreaking-ceremony-marks-new-era-in-agricultural-biosecurity-at-moore-air/
2. USDA and US Army Corps of Engineers break ground on new Texas sterile fly production facility. News release. USDA. April 17, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/04/17/usda-and-us-army-corps-engineers-break-ground-new-texas-sterile-fly-production-facility
3. Bautista-Alejandre A. For first time in decades, US opens Texas facility to disperse sterile screwworm flies. dvm360. February 11, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/for-first-time-in-decades-us-opens-texas-facility-to-disperse-sterile-screwworm-flies
4. USDA and US Army Corps of Engineers advance New World screwworm preparedness with new Texas sterile fly facility contract. USDA. March 9, 2026. Accessed April 23, 2026. https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/03/09/usda-and-us-army-corps-engineers-advance-new-world-screwworm-preparedness-new-texas-sterile-fly
5. Crossley KC. NWS preventive drug for cattle receives FDA emergency use authorization. dvm360. Published February 5, 2026. Updated February 6, 2026. Accessed April 24, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/nws-preventive-drug-for-cattle-receives-the-fda-s-emergency-use-authorization
6. United States and Mexico reach agreement to resume eradication efforts on New World screwworm. News release. USDA. April 30, 2025. Accessed April 24, 2026. https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/04/30/united-states-and-mexico-reach-agreement-resume-eradication-efforts-new-world-screwworm
7. New World screwworm. USDA. Updated December 2022, 2025. Accessed April 24, 2026. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm
8. Governor Abbott issues disaster declaration to prevent New World screwworm fly infestation. News release. Office of the Texas Governor. January 29, 2026. Accessed April 24, 2026. https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-disaster-declaration-to-prevent-new-world-screwworm-fly-infestation