What Does Holometabolous Mean?

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 does the term holometabolous mean?

Medical Definition of holometabolous

: having complete metamorphosis holometabolous insects — compare hemimetabolous.

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.