Complete metamorphosis includes which of the following life stages?

Complete metamorphosis includes which of the following life stages?

• A. Egg, pupa, and adult
• B. Egg, larva, and adult
• C. Egg, larva, pupa, and adult
• D. Larva, pupa, and adult

Answer: (C)

Complete metamorphosis is defined by four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva is typically a worm-like stage focused on feeding and growth, while the pupa is a transformative phase during which tissues are reorganized to become the adult form. The adult emerges ready to reproduce and disperse, often looking very different from the larva. Because all four stages are required to complete the transformation, the option that lists egg, larva, pupa, and adult is the best description. The other options omit one stage, which means they don’t represent the full four-stage cycle of complete metamorphosis.

Complete metamorphosis is defined by four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva is typically a worm-like stage focused on feeding and growth, while the pupa is a transformative phase during which tissues are reorganized to become the adult form. The adult emerges ready to reproduce and disperse, often looking very different from the larva. Because all four stages are required to complete the transformation, the option that lists egg, larva, pupa, and adult is the best description. The other options omit one stage, which means they don’t represent the full four-stage cycle of complete metamorphosis.