Life cycle refers to the process insect generations go through from adult stage to adult stage and the various changes they go through. These changes, called metamorphosis, are different for various insects. However, we can group them into similar types of metamorphosis. They are no metamorphosis, gradual metamorphosis, incomplete metamorphosis, and complete metamorphosis. |
NO METAMORPHOSIS
Silverfish are an example of an insect that has this type of life cycle. |
GRADUAL METAMORPHOSIS
Examples of insects with this type of life cycle includes cockroaches, termites, bedbugs, and earwigs. |
INCOMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS
Examples of insects with this type of life cycle include dragonflies, damselflies, and mayflies. |
COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS
As the larvae grow, they move into the pupal stage. Sometimes, this involves the creation of a cocoon while other will just stop movement. It is during this stage that dramatic changes occur to the insect. The legs, wings, and the antennae become fully developed. Out of the pupal stage comes the adult. There is no growth of the insect after it emerges from the pupal case. These insects now differ from the larvae by size and form, by being sexually mature, and by usually having two pairs of wings. They, in fact, usually look completely different from the larvae. Examples of insects with this type of metamorphosis are beetles, moths, butterflies, fleas, flies, ants, bees, and wasps. |
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