Which of the following is an example of an animal that undergoes complete metamorphosis?

Which of the following is an example of an animal that undergoes complete metamorphosis?

• A. Grasshoppers
• B. Insects
• C. Butterflies, Moths
• D. Worms

Answer: (C)

Complete metamorphosis, or holometabolism, involves four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva and adult look very different, and transformation happens during the pupal stage. Butterflies and moths are classic examples because their life cycle goes from caterpillar (larva) to chrysalis (pupa) to winged adult, with major changes in body form. Grasshoppers undergo incomplete metamorphosis: they start as eggs, hatch into nymphs that resemble small adults, and gradually molt into the adult, with no pupal stage. Saying “insects” is too broad because many insects do not experience complete metamorphosis. Worms aren’t part of this insect-based four-stage transformation, and their life cycles don’t follow the holometabolous pattern.

Complete metamorphosis, or holometabolism, involves four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva and adult look very different, and transformation happens during the pupal stage. Butterflies and moths are classic examples because their life cycle goes from caterpillar (larva) to chrysalis (pupa) to winged adult, with major changes in body form.

Grasshoppers undergo incomplete metamorphosis: they start as eggs, hatch into nymphs that resemble small adults, and gradually molt into the adult, with no pupal stage. Saying “insects” is too broad because many insects do not experience complete metamorphosis. Worms aren’t part of this insect-based four-stage transformation, and their life cycles don’t follow the holometabolous pattern.