Does the borer worm affect fruit?

Days ago it was announced that Mexican ranchers would no longer be able to export red meat to the United States, as the presence of the borer worm was detected. This not only affects health but also leaves many people wondering whether the borer worm affects fruit.The borer worm is a highly feared pest, as it has a damaging impact on the economy and public health. Primarily, it affects warm-blooded animals, including humans. However, there is a common confusion about whether this insect also affects fruit. In this article, we will clarify that doubt and help you take care of your health. You can also read: Goodbye to grilled meat? They warn of a meat shortage in Mexico Does the borer worm affect fruit? The answer is no. The borer worm does not affect fruit. Unlike other pests like the fruit fly, the borer worm focuses solely on the tissues of living animals. Adult females lay their eggs in open wounds, and then the larvae begin to feed on the living tissue, causing severe infections, weight loss, decreased milk and meat production, and even death of the animal.It is important not to confuse it with other types of worms or larvae that can affect fruits, such as the mango or apple worm. The borer worm in livestock represents a problem for ranchers, but not for farmers.The borer worm and the export of meatAlthough it does not damage fruits, the borer worm has significant consequences for the meat industry and trade with the United States. Due to the outbreak of the borer worm at different times, the government of that country implemented a program for the eradication of the borer worm in its territory. Thanks to techniques such as the release of sterile males, the country managed to eliminate the pest in the 1980s.However, it is worth mentioning that the meat from livestock affected by the borer worm does not have harmful effects on consumer health, as it does not produce toxins or poison.  See more: Donald Trump's tariffs: What foods could rise in price?What is being done to control the pest?In light of recent outbreaks and the measures implemented by the U.S. government, Mexican authorities announced the implementation of emergency measures, including:Detection and surveillance campaigns. Application of preventive and curative treatments on infected animals.Strengthening collaboration with the United States to prevent the spread of the borer worm northward. Additionally, programs for the release of sterile flies have been resumed to prevent the insect's reproduction, a technique that has proven to be very effective in previous outbreaks. So, although the borer worm does not affect fruit, its impact on livestock is severe and has direct repercussions on the economy, especially in the export of meat from Mexico to the United States. Continue reading: Support your country and shop at these Mexican stores