new world screwworm
Definition
A parasitic blowfly species (Cochliomyia hominivorax) native to the Americas, infamous for laying eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, where its larvae (maggots) feed on living tissue, causing severe myiasis.
The larvae of this fly, dubbed 'screwworms' for their screw-like banded bodies and twisting burrowing motion into host flesh, posing a major threat to livestock, wildlife, and occasionally humans.
Examples
The rancher spotted a new world screwworm infestation just in time, saving his cattle from turning into an all-you-can-eat larvae lounge.
Scientists combated the new world screwworm by airdropping sterilized flies, proving pest control can be more dramatic than a blockbuster action flick.
Forget vampires; in tropical fields, the new world screwworm is the real bloodsucker, feasting on wounds with gusto.
A single new world screwworm female can lay thousands of eggs, turning a small scratch into a wriggling horror show faster than a bad tattoo decision.