Resistance to starvation in early larval stages of six species of brachyuran crabs representing four families was observed at various constant temperatures. In the optimal temperature range of 25-30°C for these warm temperate crab larvae, survival time of starved zoeae was longer than the development duration time in fed zoeae, while at lower temperatures the relationship of these two duration periods became inversed. This response pattern is found in larvae of the mud crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii and is considered to be typical for warm temperature brachyuran larvae. It indicates that reserved utilization is strongly controlled by temperature, but not to the same degree as development.