CityBugs - Insect Basics

What is Metamorphosis?

Metamorphosis means a change from one form to another during the life of an animal or plant. Usually, when biologists talk about metamorphosis they are referring to alot of changes in the shape of an animal - not just growing bigger. When insects metamorphose they not only change the way they look but they often change the place they live (their HABITAT) and the food they eat. Their position in the FOOD WEB is changed and therefore they must often avoid a different set of predators after they change forms.

INCOMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS
Some insects such as Grasshoppers, Cockroaches and Dragonflies have INCOMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS (also called HEMI-METABOLOUS). This means that the baby insects (called nymphs or naiads) look like miniature versions of the adults. Usually their wings are not properly formed until they have grown to adulthood.

COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS
Other insects experience COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS (also called HOLOMETABOLOUS) which means that the baby insects (called maggots, larvae of caterpillars) look very different from the adult insect. Some examples include beetles, flies (think how different maggots are from flies!) and bees.

TRIVIA QUESTION:
Do you think the butterfly shown above experiences complete or incomplete metamorphosis? (answer below)

Answer: The butterfly shown above experiences complete metamorphosis because the baby insect (the caterpillar) looks very different from the adult insect (butterfly)

"Metamorphosis" or Growing up in the Insect World