holometabolism
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun A type of insect development characterized by complete metamorphosis, involving four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larval and adult forms are radically different in morphology and often in habitat and diet.
Usage
The term is used in entomology and biology to classify and describe the developmental process of certain insect orders. * Butterflies, beetles, and flies undergo holometabolism. * The evolutionary advantage of holometabolism is the reduction of competition for resources between larval and adult stages.
Advanced Usage
- The adjective form is holometabolous.
- Butterflies are holometabolous insects.
- The process itself is called holometabolous development or holometabolous metamorphosis.
Variants and Related Words
- Holometabolous (adjective): Describing an insect or a developmental process involving complete metamorphosis.
- Holometaboly (noun): A synonym for holometabolism.
- Metamorphosis (noun): The general process of transformation. Holometabolism is a specific type of metamorphosis.
- Hemimetabolism (noun): The contrasting type of development known as incomplete metamorphosis.
Synonyms
- Complete metamorphosis
- Holometabolous development
Antonyms
- Hemimetabolism
- Incomplete metamorphosis
Noun
- complete metamorphosis in insects