Akihiro Yoshida
Life Science Institute, Sophia University, Kioicho, chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102, Japan
(Received July 1, 1990; Accepted November 1, 1990)
Keywords: Cellular Pattern, Scales, Pupal wing, Butterfly
Abstract. In most butterfly species, the scales of the adult wings are periodically arranged. In the early pupa of Pieris rapae, scale precursor cells present the same arrangement as do scales of the adult wing. This cellular pattern develops from an ensemble of homogeneous undifferentiated epidermal cells through evenly-distributed cell differentiation, cell shape change, and cell rearrangement. The mechanisms of this pattern development are discussed at the cellular and molecular levels.