Which life stages are present in complete metamorphosis?

Which life stages are present in complete metamorphosis?

• A. Egg, Nymph, Adult
• B. Egg, Pupa, Juvenile, Adult
• C. Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult
• D. Egg, Larva, Nymph, Adult

Answer: (C)

Complete metamorphosis has four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva is typically worm-like and focused on feeding, while the pupa is a transformative, usually inactive stage where major body restructuring occurs. The final stage is the adult, which is geared toward reproduction and dispersal. The option that lists egg, larva, pupa, and adult matches these four clearly different stages, making it the correct choice. Sequences that use a nymph instead of a larva describe incomplete metamorphosis, where the immature looks like a smaller version of the adult and there’s no pupal stage. A sequence with a juvenile doesn’t align with standard metamorphosis terminology for insects. A sequence that has both larva and nymph isn’t a valid path for a single insect’s development.

Complete metamorphosis has four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva is typically worm-like and focused on feeding, while the pupa is a transformative, usually inactive stage where major body restructuring occurs. The final stage is the adult, which is geared toward reproduction and dispersal. The option that lists egg, larva, pupa, and adult matches these four clearly different stages, making it the correct choice.

Sequences that use a nymph instead of a larva describe incomplete metamorphosis, where the immature looks like a smaller version of the adult and there’s no pupal stage. A sequence with a juvenile doesn’t align with standard metamorphosis terminology for insects. A sequence that has both larva and nymph isn’t a valid path for a single insect’s development.