1. of or relating to insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with gradual changes from nymph to adult form rather than a pupal stage
Usage: biology/entomology; also spelled hemimetabolic

Examples

• Grasshoppers are hemimetabolous insects that grow through several nymph stages.
• The hemimetabolous life cycle of cockroaches involves gradual development without a pupal stage.
• Unlike butterflies, hemimetabolous insects do not have a distinct metamorphosis period.
• Dragonflies are hemimetabolous and resemble miniature adults even in their earliest stages.
• In hemimetabolous development, each molt brings the insect closer to its adult form.