New world screw worm historic distribution
I'm getting conflicting information on historic distribution of the new world screw worm. Was this critter historically present in the lower 48 of the US? Was its presence episodic due to climate, availability of host species, etc? Were the devastating impacts to the agricultural economy in the southern US facilitate by our movement of livestock and animal husbandry practices? What's the story?
I think about this critter in terms of its impact on native wildlife populations. Was this critter ever a limiting factor in native wildlife populations? Would this guy have kept deer numbers in check in places like central Texas?
It's always talked about it from an ag perspective of the mid-20th century but I'm interested in the longer term historical impact and distribution. And I'm having a hard time finding good source material talking about that.
Thanks.