Mass rearing and releasing the Heliothis virescens (F.) backcross with the sterile male trait appears to be an alternative to insecticides for suppressing H. virescens. Moths are most effectively released from pupae placed in the field prior to emergence. Since rearing cost is the ma]or expense of a release program, the percent moth emergence was determined for different pupal handling methods. An average of 59.2 percent moth emergence was obtained from mechanically harvested pupae placed in emergence trays, 94.0 percent from unharvested pupae allowed to emerge from rearing trays placed in a corrugated emergence box, and 96.6 percent emergence from rearing trays placed in a styrofoam emergence box. Emergence from the mechanically harvested pupae was significantly less than from those that were unharvested. None of the handling methods adversely affected mating, oviposition, or egg hatch from emerged female moths.