Georgia Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam

What type of insect metamorphosis involves stages such as egg, larvae, pupae, and adult?

1. Complete metamorphosis

2. Incomplete metamorphosis

3. Simple metamorphosis

4. Complex metamorphosis

The correct answer is: Complete metamorphosis

The stages of egg, larvae, pupae, and adult describe complete metamorphosis, which is a distinct transformation process that many insect species undergo. In this process, the organism starts as an egg, hatches into a larval stage where the insect primarily feeds and grows. This is followed by the pupal stage, during which the larva undergoes significant changes inside a protective casing. Finally, the adult emerges with a new form, often with functional wings and reproductive organs. In contrast, incomplete metamorphosis includes no pupal stage; instead, the insect develops through several nymph stages that resemble smaller versions of the adult. The terms simple and complex metamorphosis are not standard in entomology and do not effectively categorize insect developmental processes. Thus, the answer accurately reflects the life cycle of insects that exhibit complete metamorphosis.