Injection of 3':5'-cyclic AMP (cAMP) into larvae of the fly Sarcophaga bullata 3-4 hr before the beginning of puparium formation (red-spiracle stage) greatly accelerates the onset of tanning without affecting initiation of puparium formation (anterior retraction). Accelerated tanning resembles real tanning in two important respects: the solubility of cuticular proteins becomes reduced and [U-14C]tyrosine is incorporated into the cuticle. Of a number of cAMP analogues tested, 3':5'- cyclic GMP, 2':3'-cyclic AMP, and 5'-AMP were inactive, dibutyryl-3':5'-cAMP had only slight activity, and cyclic IMP and deoxy-3':5'-cAMP showed some activity. Theophylline enhanced the effect of small doses of cAMP or of blood, diluted 1:8, active in the puparium tanning factor. Injection of dopa, dopamine, acetyldopamine, or epinephrine, but not of tyrosine, had an accelerating effect similar to that of cAMP. The tanning-inhibiting effect of DL-alpha-methyl-alpha-hydrazino-beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid monohydrate is reversed by dopamine or epinephrine, but not by tyrosine, dopa, or cAMP. Evidence is presented to indicate that the responses to cAMP are not artifacts but reflect actual biochemical events during tanning.