Complete metamorphosis in insects

Complete metamorphosis is a type of life cycle found in certain insects, such as butterflies and beetles. It consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. Each stage looks different and has a unique purpose in the insect's development.

1. Egg stage
- The life cycle of an insect begins with an egg.
- The egg is usually laid by the adult female insect on a suitable host plant.
- The size, shape, and color of the egg vary depending on the species of insect.
- Inside the egg, the embryo develops and grows until it is ready to hatch.

2. Larva stage (caterpillar)
- After the egg hatches, a small larva emerges, commonly known as a caterpillar.
- The caterpillar is the feeding stage of the insect's life cycle.
- It has a soft body, several pairs of legs, and often distinct markings or hairs.
- Caterpillars eat voraciously to gain energy and grow.
- They shed their skin multiple times during this stage to accommodate their increasing size.

3. Pupa stage (chrysalis)
- Once the caterpillar has reached its full size, it enters the pupa stage.
- The pupa is a protective casing called a chrysalis.
- Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar undergoes a remarkable transformation.
- The body of the caterpillar breaks down and reorganizes into the adult insect's body form.
- During this stage, the insect is not actively feeding and remains in a dormant state.

4. Adult stage
- After a period of time, the adult insect emerges from the chrysalis.
- The adult insect has fully developed wings and reproductive organs.
- It is the reproductive and dispersal stage of the insect's life cycle.
- The adult's appearance varies greatly depending on the species.
- In some insects, such as butterflies, the adult may exhibit bright colors and patterns to attract mates or deter predators.

Conclusion
In complete metamorphosis, an insect hatches out as a caterpillar, goes through the pupa stage inside a chrysalis, and finally emerges as an adult. This life cycle allows insects to undergo significant changes in form and behavior, enabling them to adapt to different ecological roles and environments.

In complete metamorphosis, an insect hatches out as caterpillar and grows into pupa to become an adult.