The final stages of wing development in Drosophila melanogaster

A brief description is given of the behavioural changes in Drosophila melanogaster at the time of eclosion and wing expansion. The developmental changes in the wing during this period are classified into four stages (0–III). Details of changes in the morphology of both the cuticle and the wing epidermal cells are given using both light and electron microscopy. It was found that the breakdown of the wing epidermis is initiated before wing expansion starts. The results obtained for Drosophila are compared with those for other insect species.