Knowra Insect metamorphosis Insect metamorphosis Insect metamorphosis is a developmental transition in which an insect changes body form between life stages, through incomplete or complete metamorphosis.
Ecdysis : Ecdysis is the shedding of an insect’s old cuticle as it grows or changes stage. Each metamorphic transition is executed through a molt that sheds the existing cuticle.
Incomplete metamorphosis : Incomplete metamorphosis is development through egg, nymph, and adult stages without a pupal stage. It is one principal pattern, with nymphs gradually acquiring adult features.
Butterfly life cycle : The butterfly life cycle comprises egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult stages. Its conspicuous sequence is a classic example of complete metamorphosis.
Ecological niche : An ecological niche is the set of conditions, resources, and interactions that shape a species’ role in an ecosystem. Different juvenile and adult forms can occupy distinct niches and reduce competition within a species.
Ecdysone : Ecdysone is a steroid hormone that triggers molting in insects. Its pulses initiate the molts that produce metamorphic stage changes.
Complete metamorphosis : Complete metamorphosis is development through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. It is the other principal pattern, separating larval growth from adult form through a pupa.
Mosquito life cycle : The mosquito life cycle includes aquatic egg, larval, and pupal stages followed by a winged adult. It demonstrates how complete metamorphosis can divide aquatic juvenile and adult habitats.
Adaptive radiation : Adaptive radiation is the diversification of a lineage into species adapted to different ecological roles. Metamorphosis has been linked to insect diversification by separating juvenile and adult resource use.
Juvenile hormone : Juvenile hormone is an insect hormone that helps maintain juvenile characteristics during development. Its level helps determine whether a molt preserves juvenile form or advances development.
Ametaboly : Ametaboly is development in which juveniles resemble small adults and undergo no major metamorphic transformation. It marks the minimal-change contrast to insects with distinct juvenile and adult body forms.
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