What are the different stages of insect metamorphosis?

Humans grow gradually. You began life as a baby and grow a little at a time until you're an adult. While you're growing, the basic plan of your body doesn't change. You have the same body your whole life. Insects grow in stages. The cycle of stages is called metamorphosis. read more

Insects may undergo gradual metamorphosis, complete metamorphosis, or none at all. Illustration by Debbie Hadley Insects may undergo gradual metamorphosis, where transformation is subtle, or complete metamorphosis, where each stage of the life cycle appears quite different from the others. read more

Well, you have to be more specific than that! Insects are a very diverse group of animals on this crazy planet, no doubt at least one of them has a slightly different method of transmogrifying into the horrifying yet tiny beasts they are. read more

In a complete (holometabolous) metamorphosis the insect passes through four distinct phases, which produce an adult that does not resemble the larva. In an incomplete (hemimetabolous) metamorphosis an insect does not go through a full transformation, but instead transitions from a nymph to an adult by molting its exoskeleton as it grows. read more