The process whose specific outcome is the progression of an open tracheal system over time, from its formation to the mature structure. An open tracheal system is a respiratory system, a branched network of epithelial tubes that supplies oxygen to target tissues via spiracles. An example of this is found in Drosophila melanogaster.

The assembly of a septate junction, an intercellular junction found in invertebrate epithelia that is characterized by a ladder like appearance in electron micrographs and thought to provide structural strength and to provide a barrier to diffusion of solutes through the intercellular space.

Growth of epithelial tubes that originate from pits in an open tracheal system and grow towards each other to meet and form a continuous open tube called the dorsal trunk. The dorsal trunk extends from the anterior spiracle to the posterior spiracle of the larva and forms the main airway of the insect tracheal system.

Ensuring that an epithelial tube in an open tracheal system is of the correct length and diameter. Tracheal tubes undergo highly regulated tube-size increases during development, expanding up to 40 times their initial size by the end of larval life. Tube size appears to be controlled by regulation of apical membrane expansion and secretion, rather than by changes in cell number, size or shape.

Ensuring that a tube in an open tracheal system is of the correct length.

A cell-cell junction that forms a continuous band around each cell in an epithelium; within the septate junction the membranes of adjacent cells maintain a constant distance of approximately 15 nm; found in arthropods.

The portion of the plasma membrane at the lateral side of the cell. In epithelial cells, lateral plasma membranes are on the sides of cells which lie at the interface of adjacent cells.