Release of Backcross Insects on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to Suppress the Tobacco Budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Infusion of Sterility into a Native Population1

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Abstract
The infusion of inherited male sterility into the native population of Heliothis virescens (F.) was investigated during and after four releases of backcross insects on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Frequencies of field-reared, backcross insects continued to increase during and for one generation after each release. After an all-island release of ca. 40,000 insects per day from 27 August to 17 December 1980, 94% of the males trapped for a 6-week period were sterile progeny from released or field-reared backcross females and native males. Within a few generations after insects were released at one site, ca. 11 km from the west end of St. Croix, progeny from released females were captured throughout the island, and backcross frequencies from all locations were similar. Backcross insects survived the dry season, but backcross frequencies declined with time after each release, regardless of season.