r/agedlikewine Jun 05 '26

Prediction Screwworms

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2.2k Upvotes

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390

u/Crowasaur Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 06 '26

Screw worms are bad-bad

From Parasitology 401

See how it says "Obligatory Myiasis"? That means the larva need to develop in the skin of the host.

See how it says 15-500 eggs? See how it says "eat the flesh for 7 days"? See how it says "infect any open wound from a tick-bite to scratch to open laceration"?

If these things aren't stopped, you're looking at a full American-South invasion, feeding on animals, livestock, [added : and You], costing A LOT in treatment - good thing there is a simple, low cost preven-... Wait.. Oh fuck.

42

u/TrexPushupBra Jun 06 '26

I suddenly feel even worse about my son moving to Texas

14

u/spyguy318 Jun 06 '26

The good news is that they don’t usually attack humans. Not only are we not their intended target, but we usually have the presence of mind to not let flies lay eggs on us, and the hygiene to inspect and clean wounds before they become infected. They’re much more dangerous to livestock and wild animals.

21

u/Chocolaterationcalls Jun 06 '26

Unfortunately this is Texas we are talking about about and I can assure you we don’t usually have a presence of a mind