The term “metamorphosis” refers to a change in form or transformation of the body. Metamorphosis is the process that occurs in animals following the embryonic stage during normal development and allows the identification of different structural forms. Additionally, animals that undergo metamorphosis experience significant and apparent changes in their body features due to cell proliferation and differentiation.
Metamorphosis occurs in the majority of insects, amphibians, and other invertebrates. However, these creatures exhibit both incomplete and complete metamorphosis. One species cannot display both these categories, however, it does indicate that certain species undergo incomplete metamorphosis while others go through complete metamorphosis.
The main distinction between an incomplete and complete metamorphosis is that an incomplete metamorphosis contains stages that resemble the mature form and three life cycle phases: eggs, nymphs, and adults. Whereas, a complete metamorphosis only has one adult stage and four life cycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Table of Contents
- Incomplete Metamorphosis
- Complete Metamorphosis
- Difference between Incomplete Metamorphosis and Complete Metamorphosis
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Incomplete Metamorphosis
The egg phase, nymph phase, and adult phase are the three phases of incomplete metamorphosis. After mating with a fertile male, an adult female begins to produce eggs. When the appropriate conditions are met. These hatchlings represent the nymphal phase of the life cycle.
Nymphs are smaller than adults yet largely resemble them in appearance. The nymphs lose their exoskeleton as they grow to allow their bodies to enlarge. The nymph typically develops into an adult with wings after four to eight moults.
Some insects, such as grasshoppers, cockroaches, bugs, and dragonflies, undergo incomplete metamorphosis and have only three distinct life stages.
Complete Metamorphosis
The four distinct phases of a complete metamorphosis are the egg phase, larval phase, pupal phase, and adult phase. A mated female’s eggs develop into larvae. The larva differs from the adult in terms of appearance, size, eating habits, etc. Although the caterpillar larva and butterfly are very different from one another, they share the same genetic material.
They consume an enormous amount of food as larvae and store it all inside to prepare for the next stage of their life cycle. The larva surrounds it by weaving a cocoon, where it remains inert and without food. The pupa transforms into an adult during this stage, which is known as the pupal stage.
Eventually, the pupal stage completes its development and emerges from the cocoon as an adult. Depending on the species, this stage might last from four days to several months. Frogs and other amphibians also go through a complete metamorphosis; however, there is no stage within the cocoon.
Also, read: Difference between Larva and Pupa
Difference between Incomplete Metamorphosis and Complete Metamorphosis
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Incomplete Metamorphosis |
Complete Metamorphosis |
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It is a type of insect development wherein the insect gradually changes from egg to adult. |
It is an insect development pattern characterised by morphologically diverse egg, larva, pupal, and adult phases. |
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Incomplete metamorphosis comprised of a nymph resembling a miniature adult. |
Complete metamorphosis comprised of a very active, ferociously eating larva and an inert pupa. |
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Three phases comprise incomplete metamorphosis: egg, nymph, and adult. |
The four phases of complete metamorphosis are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. |
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Incomplete metamorphosis permits some of the insect’s exoskeleton to persist throughout its life cycle. |
The complete metamorphosis of the insect involves an entire moulting of its exoskeleton. |
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Incomplete metamorphosis allows some of the insect’s earlier stages to reproduce successfully. |
As part of the complete metamorphosis, the insect’s final stage becomes successfully reproducible. |
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Cockroaches, praying mantises, and termites all undergo incomplete metamorphosis. |
Wasps, fleas, and ants all undergo complete metamorphosis. |
The different stages that are developed with each type of growth ultimately distinguish complete metamorphosis from incomplete metamorphosis.
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Related Links:
- Metamorphism – Lifecycle of Frogs and Insects
- Difference between Butterfly and Caterpillar
- Insect Life Cycle
- Butterfly Life Cycle
