Effects of different starvation duration on survival rate and development of zoeaⅠ larvae of Chinese mitten handed crab,Eriocheir sinensis,were studyed. The results showed that starvation can significantly decrese the survival rate of the larvae and prolong the development time. A positive relationship(D=4.6648+1.3344t γ=0.978 p<0.01)between the starving time(t) and the larval development time(D) was observed. As to the zoea of Chinese mitten handed crab, if the duration of starvation exceeds 4 d, the larvae cannot recover from starvation and have normal development and exuviate function. So the point of no-return (PNR) for Chinese mitten handed crab is ~4 d, and PNR₅₀, another indicator for the resistance of the larvae to starvation, is ~48h. The results suggested that in the commercial rearing of larvae of the crab, efforts should be made to fed larvae as soon as possible after the hatching.