Mating Incidence of Male Heliothis virescens, Hybrid and Backcross Males from H. subflexa×H. virescens Crosses1,2

Abstract

Heliothis virescens (F.) males from Stoneville, MS and Brownsville, TX strains were crossed with H. subflexa (Guenée) females to produce hybrids. The hybrid females were backcrossed to normal males and subsequent backcross (BC) generations were produced. All males demonstrated significant preferences for certain females. Females in all generations of the Brownsville strain except the F₁ were more attractive to all males. The BC₂, BC₃ and BC₄ generation females of the Brownsville strain and BC₃ and BC₄ generation females of the Stoneville strain were equally as attractive as normal H. virescens females of their respective strain. Since BC males are sterile and male sterility is perpetuated by the BC female, competitiveness of BC females for mating can perhaps be developed to control H. virescens.