Segmentation in the head of the embryo of the Colorado beetleLeptinotarsa decemlineata is described on the basis of anti-engrailed (en) immunostaining of germ band stages. Six segmental units can be identified with this technique. Three segmentalen stripes can be distinguished in the gnathal region, a weak stripe interrupted medially shows the intercalary segment rudiment, a pair of oblique stripes indicate the antennal segment, and one pair of preantennalen spots are taken to indicate a sixth segment. In the broad head lobes of the beetle the spacing of the six segmental units as demarcated byen regions is similar to that in other parts of the germ band. The results are discussed with respect to old and new data concerning the number of head segments and origin of the compound eye in insects.
Keywords: Head segmentation; Insect embryogenesis; Leptinotarsa decemlineata; engrailed.