Holometabolous (Adjective)
Meaning
(of an insect) undergoing complete metamorphosis.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Butterflies and moths are examples of holometabolous insects that undergo a complete transformation from egg to larva to pupa and finally to adult.
- The life cycle of beetles is typically holometabolous, with distinct stages of egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
- The process of holometabolous development in flies involves a dramatic change in form and structure as they progress from egg to larva to pupa and finally to adult.
- Some of the most well-known holometabolous insects include ants, bees, and wasps, which all undergo complete metamorphosis as they develop.
- Holometabolous insects such as caddisflies and stoneflies undergo a complete transformation from egg to larva to pupa and finally to adult.