Sperm Cell Abnormalities in Progeny from Interspecific Crosses between Heliothis virescens and H. subflexa

A complexity of abnormalities (duplication and deformation of elements) was found in eupyrene sperm cells in the progeny of Heliothis subflexa (Guenee) ♀ × H. virescens (F.) ♂ by using a rapid air-dry procedure for light microscopical study. The sperm cell acrosome, nucleus, neck region, and tail elements were clearly delineated in these preparations. Where sperm were scored in the parents, less than 2% were found to be abnormal. In contrast, more than 60% were abnormal in F1 hybrids. Frequency of aberrations in BC generations gradually approached normal parental values. The presence of abnormal eupyrene spermatozoa might be used to identify field-released F1 and early BC generation sterile males.