1. undergoing complete metamorphosis with four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult
Usage: biology; entomology; technical

Examples

• Butterflies are holometabolous insects that transform dramatically from caterpillars to winged adults.
• Beetles undergo holometabolous development, spending time as grubs before pupating.
• The holometabolous life cycle of flies includes a larval stage called a maggot.
• Bees are holometabolous insects with a complete metamorphosis.
• Scientists study holometabolous insects to understand how organisms change during development.
• Unlike grasshoppers, mosquitoes are holometabolous and have a pupal stage.