Complete metamorphosis
Complete metamorphosis is one of two types of metamorphosis exhibited by insects. In complete metamorphosis an insect goes through four distinct stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Imago
The larva and imago are very different in appearance and often feed on completely different food sources (so adult and young do not compete for food).
The imago lays eggs, the eggs hatch into larvae. The larvae feed and moult several times before pupating. Whilst pupating the tissues of the larvae break down and then reform into the adult insect. The adult insect then emerges from the pupa.

A photograph of the pupae of the Rose chafer (Cetonia aurata).
Other names for (or types of) Complete metamorphosis include:
- Holometabalous
Related terms
- Caterpillar
- Chrysalis
- Cocoon
- Eclosion
- Endopterygota
- Imago
- Incomplete metamorphosis
- Instar
- Juvenile hormone
- Larva
- Life stage
- Metamorphosis
- Pharate
- Pterygota
- Pupa
- Puparium
- Teneral
Related groups of terms
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