What type of metamorphosis do bees undergo?

Bees undergo complete metamorphosis, which is characterized by four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This type of metamorphosis involves a transformation where the larval stage is significantly different in form and function from the adult stage. During the larval stage, bees primarily focus on growth and feeding, while the pupa stage involves significant reorganization of the organism's structure, preparing the bee to emerge as a fully formed adult.

Complete metamorphosis allows for specialization of growth stages, as the larval form does not compete for the same resources as the adult, such as nectar or pollen. This separation can lead to a more efficient use of resources within the ecosystem, as different stages adapt to different ecological niches.

The other types of metamorphosis mentioned do not apply to bees. Gradual metamorphosis involves a nymph stage that resembles the adult without a distinct pupal stage, while incomplete metamorphosis still features a direct transformation with no true pupal stage. Holometabolous metamorphosis is another term for complete metamorphosis, but in the context of the question, identifying complete metamorphosis encompasses its fully recognized life cycle stages more clearly.