The coordinated entrance into developmental arrest, long-term survival, and the reinitiation of development upon food availability are important biological processes to investigate. Different organisms have developed versatile growth arrest strategies to overcome starvation-induced metabolic and developmental problems. Food deprivation is a life-threatening challenge that animals frequently face as individuals and as species. Numerous animal species across multiple phyla enter developmental arrest for long-term survival in unfavorable environments and resume development upon stress removal. Contributed new reagents/analytic tools; X.Z., R.Z., and M.H.