screwworm

American  

[skroo-wurm] / ˈskruˌwɜrm /

noun

1. the larva of any of certain flies of the genus Callitroga, which sometimes infests wounds and the nose and navel of domestic animals and humans.

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screwworm British  

/ ˈskruːˌwɜːm /

noun

1. the larva of a dipterous fly, Callitroga macellaria, that develops beneath the skin of living mammals often causing illness or death

2. the fly producing this larva: family Calliphoridae

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Etymology

Origin of screwworm

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; screw + worm

Example Sentences

Department of Agriculture shut the border to Mexican cattle in March, in order to block the spread to the U.S. of the New World screwworm, a gruesome parasite that has been found in Central and South American herds.

From Los Angeles Times

The USDA’s announcement of the blockade didn’t tie the screwworm peril to immigration, illegal or otherwise, but to commercial imports.

From Los Angeles Times

That said, much more is driving beef inflation than tariffs and the screwworm.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Department of Agriculture this spring suspended Mexican cattle imports after the screwworm parasite was detected in herds south of the border.

From The Wall Street Journal

King pointed to cattle supplies at record lows due to drought, herd rebuilding and the impact of the New World screwworm in Mexico.

From MarketWatch