Texas A&M advances faster, safer sterilization of New World screwworm
eBeam Center leads research on non-radioactive insect sterilization technique
November 11, 2026 – by Adam Russell
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists have achieved early success using electron beam, or eBeam, technology for the Sterile Insect Technique, or SIT, against New World screwworm flies.
New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a pest that has drawn renewed national attention as Texas and U.S. agencies work with Texas A&M AgriLife to keep it from spreading further into the country and impacting livestock and wildlife.
A large New World screwworm outbreak in Texas could cost the state’s cattle industry an estimated $2.1 billion and threaten its $9 billion hunting and wildlife industry, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist estimates.
SIT is a proven New World screwworm control method in which large numbers of sterilized male flies are released into the wild. Because females mate only once, pairing them with sterile males means their eggs never hatch, suppressing wild populations.
Traditional SIT methods expose pupae to radioactive isotopes, including cobalt-60. eBeam uses commercial electricity to generate high-energy electron beams — no radioactivity required. Using eBeam technology removes safety, security, cost and logistical burdens that come with handling a radioactive material like cobalt-60.
Beam strength and exposure time are adjusted for each application. The technology has been used for decades for various applications, including sterilizing medical equipment and imported produce and spices, and eliminating environmental pollution.
eBeam research results promising
The progress toward adding an innovative tool in the fight against New World screwworm is the product of two research disciplines joining forces: food processing and entomology.
The collaborative team includes, Suresh Pillai, Ph.D., director of the National Center for Electron Beam Research at Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research scientist and professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Bryan-College Station; and Aaron Tarone, Ph.D., AgriLife Research scientist and professor, and Keyan Zhu-Salzman, Ph.D., AgriLife Research entomologist and professor, both in the Department of Entomology.
The team combined eBeam engineering with entomological expertise to test a range of electron beam doses on New World screwworm pupae.
Pillai’s team handled the eBeam dosing and logistics, applying the technology across a range of doses for multiple rounds of testing on the pupae. Tarone’s team then took over the biological side, dissecting and examining adult flies under microscope. His team assessed the flies’ reproductive capabilities and confirmed they were able to fly and complete their life cycles, with sterility left as the only effect of the treatment.
After extensive testing, the team is confident eBeam can effectively sterilize male flies without relying on high-activity radioactive material.
The collaboration also turned up an added advantage: eBeam can cut the sterilization process down to seconds compared to cobalt-60, which takes minutes, Tarone said.
“Dr. Pillai has figured out how to precisely treat thousands of pupae in seconds, and that is very positive when you consider using this technology at the factory scale necessary for SIT efforts,” Tarone said. “Everything is looking very positive.”
Pillai said remaining rounds of testing will help the team hone the efficiency of eBeam dosing.
“We’ve demonstrated that eBeam can do what cobalt-60 does against the New World screwworm,” Pillai said. “Our tests thus far make a compelling case for the use of this technology given the reduced cost and risks associated with traditional sterilization methods. There’s enough data that we’re confident eBeam could be the future of SIT efforts.”
New World screwworm research is a national priority
The work builds on earlier research in which the center tested eBeam on Cochliomyia macellaria, a blowfly species with biology similar to the New World screwworm, as a surrogate for initial testing. That research gave Texas A&M scientists the confidence to begin direct testing on New World screwworm pupae.
“This highly coordinated and collaborative interdisciplinary work reflects our commitment to impactful science and meeting challenges for our state and nation,” said G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of AgriLife Research. “We are creating an innovative tool to protect Texas livestock, wildlife and the livelihoods of our producers.”
Pillai said the successful tests come at a pivotal moment for eBeam technology. In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched its New World screwworm Grand Challenge, calling on federal and non-federal innovators to develop high-impact projects to improve detection, control and eradication readiness against the pest. On June 17, the agency announced $105 million in funding for 40 breakthrough research projects selected through the challenge — eBeam research among them.
The National Center for Electron Beam Research, known informally as the eBeam center, is based on the Texas A&M University campus in Bryan-College Station and was named an International Atomic Energy Agency collaborating center in 2014 for eBeam use in food, health and environmental applications. The center also partners with the U.S. Department of Energy and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to advance eBeam research and help industries transition away from radioactive-source technology.
As part of one funded project, the eBeam center at Texas A&M will assist two companies in the development of prototype eBeam platforms for broader SIT applications.
Pillai said the team is honored by USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s confidence in its collective expertise to evaluate eBeam technology. He said it exemplifies the power of transdisciplinary collaboration bringing together complementary expertise to address a critical national need.
“Our collaboration with USDA and the innovation challenge funding shows the confidence they have in AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M eBeam center,” Pillai said. “It shows that we are preeminent global leader in eBeam development and research, and we are excited for the opportunity to showcase the real-world impact it can make to protect livelihoods and our food supply chain.”
-30-
Would you like more information from Texas A&M AgriLife?
Visit AgriLife Today, the news hub for Texas A&M AgriLife, which brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System, or sign up for our Texas A&M AgriLife E-Newsletter.