What is the term for the period between molts in insects?

The term for the period between molts in insects is "instar." An instar refers specifically to the developmental stage of an insect between successive molts as it grows. Insects undergo several instars during their life cycle, particularly in the nymphal or larval stages, before reaching adulthood. Each instar stage represents a specific form that the insect takes on as it matures, highlighting the growth and development that occur as it prepares for its next molt.

In contrast, metamorphosis describes the overall transformation process that an insect goes through from egg to adult, which includes several instars as well as distinct life stages like pupa. The terms larva and pupa represent specific stages within the metamorphosis process but do not denote the intervals between molts. Thus, instar is the most precise term for the period between these molts in the context of insect development.