Abstract
Surveys from 1965 to 1977 of the native wild and introduced naturalized flora of the delta of Mississippi for F1 generation larvae of the overwintered population of Heliothis zea (Boddie) and H. virescens (F.) showed that H. zea larvae occurred at least 1 week earlier than H. virescens larvae. Eight plant species supported populations of both Heliothis species. Both crimson clover and Geranium dissectum L. were major hosts of H. zea. Although brief high populations of H. virescens occurred on several plant species, G. dissectum was the only early-season host that supported high populations of H. virescens over an extended period of time.