Should I report fly sightings?

Many fly species look alike, and even a true NWS fly could be a harmless sterile one released for eradication efforts. So there’s no need to watch for flies themselves. Instead of looking for flies, focus on protecting your animals.

The most important indicator of NWS is a suspicious wound or maggot infestation in an animal. Laboratory testing can confirm whether larvae are screwworm.

While adult screwworm flies can be distinctive, identification from photographs or descriptions alone is difficult. If you suspect an infestation, report it immediately.