Normally the egg of Ephippiger cruciger is subject to diapause when the embryo is almost fully developed. Most eggs die or develop erratically and slowly when chilled for some time at earlier non-diapausing stages. However, after 2 or 3 months’ cooling at a stage just before catatrepsis a few eggs developed more rapidly than usual and hatched without intervention of a diapause, at a temperature that is normally too high to allow diapause development to proceed. A possible mechanism, involving the neurosecretory system, for this diapause pattern is suggested.

© 1977 by Company of Biologists
1977
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