APPLICATION OF GIS AND REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH TO THE USDA SCREWWORM ERADICATION PROGRAM

摘要

Screwworm, an economically important pest of warm-blooded animals has been eradicated from North and Central America using the sterile insect technique (SIT) developed by USDA-ARS scientists. By releasing sterile flies into the wild, this method of biological control effectively leads to the extinction of native screwworm populations. The USDA-ARS research unit is currently incorporating GIS and remote sensing in studies of the ground release of sterile screwworm flies to better understand how far flies are dispersing, how long they are surviving in the field, which habitats they prefer and how season affects habitat preference. Additionally, a test using variable release rates of sterile screwworm flies is currently in progress in Jamaica. Site-specific application of sterile flies in both area-wide and outbreak eradication situations will target locations of favorable screwworm habitat leading to greater efficiency in field operations of the USDA-APHIS Screwworm Eradication Program and those of other countries interested in eradicating screwworm.