Processes
The purpose of the COPEG Sterile Fly Plant is the mass production of sterile Screwworm flies required for the prevention and eradication of this disease.
Production
The production process within the plant is designed to artificially replicate the life cycle of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly. The plant was inaugurated in July 2006 and follows BSL biosecurity protocols with Levels 2 and 3 characteristics, ensuring that fertile screwworms cannot escape from the facility.
For mass rearing, the screwworms are fed an artificial diet and kept in controlled environments that simulate natural conditions. This allows full control over the insect’s life cycle—from egg, larva, and pupa to adult—ensuring optimal production and meeting the requirements for dispersal within the biological barrier.
The plant is designed to produce up to 100 million sterile pupae per week and is composed of several specialized departments:
Process
Cage Setup
Oviposition
Egg Collection
Egg Hatch Rate Measurement
First Larval Feeding
Second Larval Feeding
Transfer of the Insect to the Drop Room and Collection
Larvae Collection
Transformation into Pupa
Maturation Room
Process
01
Cage Assembly
They house 6 liters of fertile pupae to ensure the continuity of production. In this space, the flies reproduce, and egg laying is expected to occur after 7 days.
02
Oviposition
After this period, the cages are moved to the oviposition area, where, under specific conditions, egg laying begins and lasts between 6 and 7 hours.
03
Egg Collection
The eggs are placed on moist paper for incubation and are sustained with a special diet that simulates a warm-blooded wound (5 liters of diet daily).
04
Egg Hatch Rate Measurement
It is carried out 10 to 12 hours later.
05
First Larval Feeding
It takes place after 36 hours of incubation and consists of 8 liters of diet.
06
Second Larval Feeding
It occurs 72 hours after incubation and consists of 7 liters of diet.
07
Insect Transfer
Transfer of the Insect to the Drop and Collection Room: In this area, the insects will remain for 4 days.
08
Larvae Collection
It is carried out every 4 hours. In this step, 3 liters of larvae are distributed into trays with 6 liters of sawdust to simulate the natural process of falling to the ground.
09
Transformation into Pupa
It takes place 24 hours after collection, during which the pupae are separated from the sawdust using a sifter.
10
Maturation Room
This is the space where the trays of pupae are transferred. Here, they are organized and labeled according to their maturation time.
Complementary
Breeding Stock:
This process takes place during the larval stage and involves collecting 8 liters of larvae per shift to maintain the strain and production cycle. During maturation, these larvae are not sterilized, as they must remain fertile to be used in cage setup and egg production.
Insect Measurement:
This is carried out at the end of each feeding, collection, and sifting process to monitor and control the insect’s growth.