Ultrastructure of compound eye was investigated by TEM and SEM in the larval stages of Penaeus chinensis .The result indicated :The compound eye is in photoreceptive rudiment at Z1 stage .During Z2 stage , the main components of every ommatidium of compound eye were completed .The surface of ommatidium had the appearance of hexagonal facetting before post-larval stage .But the facet was square when the length is 0 .7 ～ 0 .8cm at post-larval stage .Some main organelles of corneagenous cell , such as mitochondia , rough endoplasmic reticulum, etc .decreased gradually .Crystalline tract secreted by crystalline cells began at Z2 stage and became thick gradually .Iris pigmental cells didn' t produce pigmental granules before the post-larval stage .Retina pigments slight increased gradually as developing .The rhabdom was formed at Z2 stage and lengthened gradually .