Flesh-eating parasite moves toward US—scientists find it may be stopped by a scent

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating blowfly, has been detected in Texas and New Mexico after being eradicated in the U.S. over 50 years ago.

Professor Jessica Metcalf at Colorado State University is researching the foul-smelling chemical signals that attract the screwworm to open wounds.

The screwworm uses bacterial cues from infected wounds to find egg-laying sites; larvae feed on living flesh, endangering livestock, pets, and wildlife.

Current traps use rotting meat scents that attract similar flies, making it hard to specifically detect the dangerous New World screwworm.

Understanding the parasite's preferred odors could lead to better detection traps and help prevent further northward spread.