In the mid-south, early-season wild host plants play a critical role in the survival and buildup of the first larval generation of the bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie) and the tobacco budworm, H. virescens (F.). Cutleaf geranium, Geranium dissectum L., is the major early-season wild host of both Heliothis species in the Delta of Mississippi. In field tests, one application of a selective herbicide, one properly scheduled mowing of this host, or spraying of the host with an insect growth regulator have shown promise of providing the level of suppression of both Heliothis species which, according to theoretical calculations, would prevent the buildup of economic infestations of Heliothis in cotton and so beans in this agroecosystem.