Larval forms of the middle and late Pennsylvanian trilobite Ditomopyge scitula (Meek and Worthen, 1865) have been collected from seven localities in the Desmoinesian of Oklahoma, Missourian of Oklahoma and Texas, and Virgilian of Nebraska and Texas. These larval trilobites have been interpreted as degree 1 through degree 8 meraspides. Although these larval forms are extremely rare, an essentially complete growth sequence was reconstructed and an ontogeny synthesized. During growth, D. scitula absorbed the brim and posterior spines into the pygidium and developed first the lateral then the median preoccipital glabellar lobes; the anterior cephalic margin is more prominent in juvenile stages, becoming narrower in late mersapide molts and finally overlapped by the glabella in early holaspide stages.

For over 30 years, Ted White has scoured the quarries and road cuts of the lower Platte River Valley in southeastern Nebraska for late Pennsylvanian invertebrate and vertebrate fossils. His years of collecting have provided information that significantly amplifies the history of the late Pennsylvanian in the entire North American Midcontinent. Some highlights of Ted's influence in paleontology show that he is an excellent and well-deserving recipient of the Harrell L. Strimple Award for 1986. Ted's work has not only led several young people into paleontological careers but has altered the course of research of many established professionals.