The Four Stages of Transformation
Complete metamorphosis is a type of insect development that includes four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. In this process, the immature form (larva) looks entirely different from the adult form and often has a different diet and habitat.
Section 2: The Key Stages Explained
The life cycle begins as an egg. It hatches into a larva (e.g., a caterpillar or maggot), whose primary function is to eat and grow. The larva then enters the pupa stage (e.g., a chrysalis or cocoon), a non-feeding, inactive phase where it undergoes a radical transformation. Finally, it emerges as a sexually mature adult (or imago), focused on reproduction.
Section 3: A Practical Example of Complete Metamorphosis
A classic example is the butterfly. It starts as an egg on a leaf, hatches into a caterpillar (larva) that eats leaves, forms a chrysalis (pupa), and finally emerges as a winged butterfly (adult) that drinks nectar and mates. Each stage is visually and functionally distinct from the others.
Section 4: Why Is This Process Important?
This four-stage process is a highly successful evolutionary strategy because it reduces competition between the young and adult stages. The larvae and adults often consume different food sources and live in different environments, allowing for a larger population to thrive within the same ecosystem.