Embryogenesis of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): Morphological markers for staging of living embryos

Abstract

Determination of embryonic stages is an important prerequisite for the long-term cryopreservation of eggs and embryos of the predatory gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza. This paper describes the embryonic development of this insect based on light microscopy. Gall midge embryogenesis lasts, on average, 102 h at 17°C and 144 h at 15°C. Living embryos can be quickly separated into ten stages that are clearly defined by specific morphological markers. The necessity for selecting definite embryonic stages for cryobiological storage is discussed.