Suppression of Pest Lepidoptera by Releasing Partially Sterile Males: A Theoretical Appraisal

Insect radiologists have shown that substerilizing doses of gamma radiations applied to male Lepidoptera crossed with normal females result in surviving F1 progeny that are virtually 100% sterile. Theoretical calculations show that release of partially sterile males would achieve higher suppression of reproduction than can be achieved by releasing males that are fully sterile, even disregarding the probable higher mating competitiveness of males receiving lower radiation dosages. An appraisal is made of the potential possibilities of employing the genetic approach for regional suppression of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea, and the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni as an alternative to the use of chemical insecticides.