holometabolism
Sign in to savethumb|150px|Lifestages of a holometabolous insect (wasp). Egg is not shown. Third, fourth, and fifth images depict different ages of pupae. Holometabolism, also called complete metamorphosis, is a form of insect development which includes four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago (or adult). Holometabolism is a synapomorphic trait of all insects in the clade Holometabola. Immature stages of holometabolous insects are very different from the mature stage. In some species, a holometabolous life cycle minimizes competition between larvae and adults by separating their ecological niches. The m
Article
12 sectionsContents
- Developmental stages
- Egg
- Larva
- Prepupa
- Pupa
- Imago
- Evolutionary context of holometabolan development
- Theories on the origin of holometabolan metamorphosis
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|150px|Lifestages of a holometabolous insect (wasp). Egg is not shown. Third, fourth, and fifth images depict different ages of pupae. Holometabolism, also called complete metamorphosis, is a form of insect development which includes four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago (or adult). Holometabolism is a synapomorphic trait of all insects in the clade Holometabola. Immature stages of holometabolous insects are very different from the mature stage. In some species, a holometabolous life cycle minimizes competition between larvae and adults by separating their ecological niches. The morphology and behavior of each stage are adapted for different activities. For example, larval traits maximize feeding, growth, and development, while adult traits enable dispersal, mating, and egg laying. Some species of holometabolous insects protect and feed their offspring. Other insect developmental strategies include ametabolism and hemimetabolism.
==Developmental stages== There are four general developmental stages, each with its own morphology and function. thumb|Various insect eggs.