Which life cycle term correctly describes a life history with egg, larva, pupa, and adult?

Which life cycle term correctly describes a life history with egg, larva, pupa, and adult?

• A. Complete metamorphosis
• B. Gradual metamorphosis
• C. No metamorphosis
• D. Simple metamorphosis

Answer: (A)

Complete metamorphosis is the life-history pattern that includes four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The key feature is the pupal stage, during which transformation occurs and the larva, which often looks very different and has different habits, becomes the adult. This four-stage sequence is characteristic of insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, and flies. In contrast, gradual metamorphosis lacks a pupal stage, with nymphs that resemble small adults and molt into the mature form, while no metamorphosis (ametabolous) means the young are essentially miniature adults with only minor changes.

Complete metamorphosis is the life-history pattern that includes four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The key feature is the pupal stage, during which transformation occurs and the larva, which often looks very different and has different habits, becomes the adult. This four-stage sequence is characteristic of insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, and flies. In contrast, gradual metamorphosis lacks a pupal stage, with nymphs that resemble small adults and molt into the mature form, while no metamorphosis (ametabolous) means the young are essentially miniature adults with only minor changes.