Certain aspects of nature are miraculous. And more often than not, we are too preoccupied with our daily lives to notice.
For example, there are some creatures who live part of their lives in one form and then metamorphosize into another. It’s as if they were two separate animals! The most famous example is the butterfly. A butterfly begins its life with different organs, limbs and a body than it has when it finishes. It transforms magically from one “animal” into another. That’s incredible! And it’s called “Holometabolism.”
Holometabolism is also referred to as “complete metamorphosis.” It’s a form of insect development that includes four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago.
While butterflies are the most familiar example, it’s estimated that insects with complete metamorphosis account for more than 80% of insect species and more than 50% of all animal species. Among insects, the list includes Coleoptera (Beetles), Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, and skippers), Hymenoptera (sawflies, wasps, ants, and bees), and Diptera (flies).
Holometabolism is the key to success for these insects. The insects can exploit valuable food resources in their immature stages and then expand into new habitats as winged adults.
Below is a terrific video by Joe from PBS’s “Be Smart.” Joe explains just how strange and wonderful holometabolism really is.
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