Semivoltine

A semivoltine species is a species that takes more than one year to complete its life-cycle.

In the UK many species of dragonfly are semivoltine. Adults emerge in early summer, mate and lay eggs. The larvae then develop over several years before eventually becoming an adult.

Another good example of semivoltine insects are the periodic cicadas, some species develop over 13 to 17 years.

A photograph of an adult male Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly (Libellula depressa). Larvae of this dragonfly can take up to two years to develop.

Related terms

• Bivoltine
• Life cycle
• Multivoltine
• Univoltine
• Voltinism

Related groups of terms

• Insect life cycles

Related pages on this web site

• Insect life cycles

See other words beginning with S