holometabolous

views updated May 23 2018

holometabolous Describing insect development in which there is complete metamorphosis and the immature stages, called larvae, are markedly different from the adults. Transformation of the larvae into the adult takes place during a resting stage called a pupa. Holometabolous development is characteristic of endopterygote insect orders. Compare ametabolous; hemimetabolous.

A Dictionary of Biology

holometabolous

views updated May 08 2018

holometabolous Applied to a type of development in which distinct larval and adult forms occur.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

holometabolous

views updated May 21 2018

holometabolous Applied to a type of development in which distinct larval and adult forms occur.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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holometabolous

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