Scientists from the United States, Mexico, and Panama have been breeding large, sterile flies with green, shiny backs and red eyes. These flies are part of an effort to combat a pest that could cause significant damage. The United States government has released its one billionth fly, which was produced at facilities in Mexico and Panama.

The goal is to fight a plague that can infect warm-blooded animals, including humans, and cause serious harm. The pest in question can lead to infections and even death. Further details about this effort are available from the source.

The release of these flies is intended to mitigate potential losses, estimated to be around $2.5 billion in a specific region.