To determine the optimal temperature of embryonic and larval development of Procambarus clarkii,we observed the embryonic and larval development process,and recorded the survival rate,development time,biological zero degree and effective accumulated temperature at four temperatures (19℃,22℃,25℃ and 28℃). The results showed that the hatching time,hatching rate and larval development of P. clarkii were significantly affected by temperature (P<0.05). The embryonic development was accelerated with the temperature increasing within the experimental temperature range (1928℃),and the development time at 19℃ was (622.67±6.02) h post spawning,while it was only (349.67±4.63) h at 28 ℃. The embryonic hatching rate firstly increased and then decreased with the temperature increasing,with the highest hatching rate of 91.03%±2.97% and lowest of 40.53%±4.97% obtained at 22 ℃ and 28 ℃,respectively. The larval development time decreased with the increase of temperature,and the development time at 19 ℃ was (304.00±10.73) h,while it was only (194.00±9.03) h at 28 ℃. The larval survival rate firstly increased and then decreased with the increase of temperature,and the highest (94.37%±1.60%) and lowest (82.67%±1.51%) survival rate were obtained at 22 ℃ and 28 ℃,respectively. The biological zero of embryonic and larval development calculated by SandersonPearis formula were 7.32 ℃ and 3.29 ℃.Further,a temperaturedependent developmental model for the P. clarkii embryos and larvae was built. According to the curve fitting equation,the optimal temperature of embryonic and larval development were 22.06℃ and 22.78℃,respectively. Therefore,it is recommended that the optimal temperature range for the embryonic and larval development during artificial P. clarkii breeding process should be set at 2225℃.