Hemimetamorphous (Adjective)
Meaning
(of an insect with aquatic young) undergoing incomplete metamorphosis in which the young does not resemble the adult.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Dragonflies are hemimetamorphous insects, with their young, called nymphs, living in water and undergoing a series of molts before emerging onto land as adults.
- The hemimetamorphous development of mayflies involves a distinct separation between their aquatic nymph stage and their adult stage.
- True bugs, such as water striders, are hemimetamorphous, with their young resembling small versions of the adults but lacking fully developed wings.
- The hemimetamorphous life cycle of stoneflies includes a prolonged aquatic nymph stage, during which they molt several times before emerging onto land.
- Caddisflies are hemimetamorphous insects, with their larvae living in water and constructing protective cases around themselves before pupating and emerging as adults.