What Are Holometabolous Insects?

Holometabolism, also called complete metamorphosis, is a form of insect development which includes four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago. Holometabolism is a synapomorphic trait of all insects in the superorder Endopterygota. Immature stages of holometabolous insects are very different from the mature stage.

What defines a holometabolous insect?

Holometabolous: having a complete transformation; with egg, larval, pupal and adult stages distinctly separated.

What is the difference between hemimetabolous and holometabolous?

This phenomenon of development is known as Metamorphosis. ... The key difference between Holometabolous and the Hemimetabolous insects is based on the type of metamorphosis they undergo. Holometabolous insects undergo complete metamorphosis whereas Hemimetabolous insects undergo incomplete or partial metamorphosis.