The sensitive period for yellow phenocopy induction in Drosophila melanogaster.

Yellow phenocopies of Drosophila melanogaster were produced by raising larvae on alpha-DMT contaminated media. Using a survivorship test, the sensitive period for phenocopy induction was found to occur during the third larval instar of development, with increased survivorship at 1% alpha-DMT compared with lower concentrations. It was also found that treatment with alpha-DMT significantly slowed development. These findings are related to the relevant morphological and behavioral developmental pathways and to phenocopy induction.