Transcript Metamorphosis

METAMORPHOSIS
Comparing Insect Life Cycles
I NSECTS
ARE
E VERYWHERE
Look around you.
Chances are, there is an insect nearby.
M ETAMORPHOSIS

As you have learned
previously, insects go through
a life cycle.
C OMPLETE M ETAMORPHO SIS
Some insects change drastically ….
Egg to
larva
Larva
to
pupa
Pupa
to
adult
C OMPLETE M ETAMORPHOSIS

Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis have four
distinct life cycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

During the insect’s larva stage, it grows and stores up
energy needed for the next developmental stage (pupa),
by eating large quantities of food.

As an insect enters its pupa stage, it forms a harder outer
shell for protection. The insect will remain as still as
possible, in order to use its energy toward the
transformation process into an adult.

The adult insects no longer grow in size, but focus their
energy on gathering food and reproduction.
I NCOMPLETE M ETAMORPHOSI S
…while others just grow larger.
I NCOMPLETE M ETAMORPHOSIS

Insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis
have three distinct life cycle stages: egg, nymph,
and adult.

Nymphs often closely resemble the adult, but are
smaller in size and lack wings.

Nymphs shed their exoskeleton as they grow, and
do not develop wings until they are adults.

Adult insects focus their energy on survival and
reproduction.
S O , W HAT ’ S
THE
D IFFERENCE ?
Complete Metamorphosis
Both
Incomplete Metamorphosis
4 stages –
larva, pupa, adult, egg
egg
3 stagesnymph, adult, egg
pupa is called a
chrysalis or cocoon
adult
larva look different
than the adult
adults usually have
wings
nymphs look like
wingless adults
darkling beetle
life cycle
cockroach
moth
praying mantis
bee
grasshopper