Some phases in the embryonic development of Diacrisia virginica fabr. (Lepidoptera)

The cells of the blastoderm which are to form the serosa are two‐ to four‐nucleate; the smaller cells of the embryonic rudiment, uninucleate. The band‐like embryonic rudiment encircles the yolk at the equator of the egg. The amnion does not begin to form until after the serosa completely covers embryo and yolk. The epithelium of the midgut arises from cells situated at the tips of stomodaeum and proctodaeum. These cells, though not differentiated from adjacent ectoderm at the time of the invagination, are nevertheless interpreted as part of the preprimordium of the endoderm. In the eighty‐four‐hour stage a fold of amnion grows over the dorsal side of the embryo, entirely covering it in the course of the next few hours. A portion of the amnion thus forms the dorsal wall of the embryo. At the completion of the amnion the embryo rotates so that its ventral side is directed toward the egg center. The amnion raptures just before the larva begins to feed on the yolk which still remains around it. The serosa is consumed before hatching, which takes place about five and one‐half days after deposition.