Project Number: 6240-32000-007-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 27, 2002
End Date: Dec 31, 2004

Objective:
Provide research support to the APHIS screwworm eradication program through studies to 1) apply quantitative procedures to characterize remaining natural screwworm populations in the Caribbean and South America; 2) assess current technologies in remote sensing and GIS modeling that are applicable to the prediction of screwworm distribution; 3) develop new sterile male release strategies for use in the barrier zone and for outbreaks in eradicated areas; 4) improve screwworm diet and rearing technology; 5) develop and evaluate new screwworm strains for large-scale production and use in the eradication program; and 6) further characterize the influence of the genetic changes occurring during colonization.

Approach:
Remaining natural screwworm populations in the Caribbean and South America will be studied to quantitatively characterize population levels and their responses to environmental conditions and habitat. Measure other factors including longevity, reproductive capacity, host reservoirs and migration rate. Wild animal reservoirs will be identified through the ELISA technique. Remote sensing and GIS modeling technology will be used to correlate habitat type and other geographic parameters with data from ecological studies and data on host density and incidence of screwworm cases. Use predictive modeling to characterize population dynamics in various ecosystems and compare with data from field studies. Studies on sterile-fly dispersion from aerial releases will be conducted in the permanent barrier zone in Panama. Cooperative studies with APHIS will be conducted in Panama to provide data concerning variation of sterile fly release rates by habitat and season, and to improve surveillance methods for use in the permanent barrier zone and to improve handling and release technology for sterile flies. New dietary ingredients and other components used in diet preparation will be tested. New strains will be developed from wild flies collected from indigenous areas. Use classical and molecular genetic techniques to identify genetic traits, and study the heritable characteristics of these traits. Investigate genetic adaptation to selective forces of mass rearing using established parameters and newly developed laboratory parameters. Evaluate various method of selecting and maintaining brood stocks for maintaining genetic variability while maintaining suitable production characteristics.

Project Team

Skoda, Steven Chaudhury, Muhammad

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology (104)

Related Projects

Reaction-Diffusion Model of Screwworm Eradication Program Barrier Zone    Developing Transgenic Methods for Use in Studying Screwworm Genetics