[Possibilities of synchronizing the growth of Chironomus thummi Kieff. larvae]

The conditions for uniform synchronous development of groups of the IV instar larvae of Ch. thummi and the possibility of using the morphology of imaginal discs as a criterion of temporal uniformity (synchrony) of larval development were investigated. The degree of synchrony of larval development was shown to depend strongly on the population density. Its increase led to desynchronization and decrease in the rate of larval development. The size and morphology of imaginal discs used as criteria of developmental phases of the IV instar larvae varied at the "red head" phase. the size of imaginal discs depended on the rate of larval development and population density. No distinct correlation was found between the sex of larvae and the size of imaginal discs in them. A conclusion is drawn that the size of imaginal discs cannot serve as a criterion of temporal uniformity of larval development.