Which term describes the process insects go through as they develop from egg to adult while experiencing significant physical changes?

The term that describes the process insects undergo as they develop from egg to adult, while experiencing significant physical changes, is metamorphosis. This biological process involves a series of distinct stages, including the egg, larva (or nymph), pupa, and finally, the adult stage. During metamorphosis, the insect undergoes drastic changes in body structure and function, which often involves changes in habitat and behavior as they transition through these stages.

For example, a caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis to become a butterfly, which entails not only a change in appearance but also significant changes in physiology and behavior. Understanding metamorphosis is crucial in fields like pest control, as it helps operators anticipate the life cycle of insects and implement effective management strategies.

While growth refers to an increase in size and may occur during any stage of an insect's life cycle, it does not specifically address the profound changes that occur during metamorphosis. Evolution pertains to the long-term change in populations over generations and is not relevant to the individual developmental changes that insects experience. Transformation, while it may imply change, is a more general term and does not specifically refer to the complex life cycle and stages that define metamorphosis in insects.