MATING INTERACTION BETWEEN NATIVE TOBACCO BUDWORMS (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) AND RELEASED BACKCROSS ADULTS

The results of field releases of backcross (BC) males or females obtained by backcrossing hybrid females resulting from a cross between Heliothis subflexa (Guenee) females and H. virescens (F.) males to H. virescens males, indicated that native males mated with BC females; but BC males were observed only rarely mating with native females. When both BC sexes were released in the same field, the BC male was competitive for BC females but not for native females. Generally the behavior of the BC culture was similar to that of the laboratory strain of tobacco budworms used in its production. Field observations indicated that peak emergence and mating occurred 8-9 days before peak captures in pheromone traps. Also, peak mating occurred 4 days before the full moon and peak trap capture occurred 4 days after the full moon. © 1979 Entomological Society of America.