Holometabolic (Adjective)
Meaning
(of an insect) undergoing complete metamorphosis.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Butterflies and moths are examples of holometabolic insects that undergo complete transformation from egg to larva to pupa and finally to adult.
- All holometabolic insects have a pupal stage, which is an essential phase in their development.
- Beetles, flies, and bees are holometabolic, with their young passing through four distinct life stages.
- The process of complete transformation in holometabolic insects can take weeks or even years to complete.
- Caterpillars of moths are holometabolic in the sense that they go through complete transformation to form a chrysalis, leading to their adult forms.