Screwworm becomes internet’s hottest new insult after viral TikTok explains why it’s the worst parasite to find at a party.
In a twist that has entomologists both horrified and amused, the screwworm has crawled out of livestock headlines and into the meme spotlight, thanks to a TikTok user who compared the parasite’s relentless, flesh-burrowing behavior to that one friend who overstays their welcome at a potluck. “You think you have a little cut, but then the screwworm shows up, multiplies, and suddenly your whole vibe is infected,” the video explained, sparking thousands of comments like “I’ve been screwworm-dating for years.” The irony is deliciously dark: a species that causes real agricultural panic is now being used to roast passive-aggressive acquaintances. Experts warn that while comparing bad roommates to screwworms is funny, actual screwworm outbreaks in Florida and Texas are no joke—but Gen Z has already made it the new “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.”