The microbiome of wild and mass-reared new world screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax.

Insect population control through continual releases of large numbers of sterile insects, called sterile insect technique (SIT), is only possible if one can mass-rear large quantities of healthy insects. Adaptation of insect stocks to rearing conditions and artificial feeding systems can have a multitude of negative effects such as inbreeding depression, reduced compatibility with wild strains, unintentional selection for traits that lower fitness after release, and an altered microbiome. Changes to insect microbiomes can have many effects on insects ranging from a reduction in sex pheromones or reduced fitness.