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hemimetamorphic

hemimetamorphic

9.9
An insect whose young live in water and do not look like the adult
  • adjective
  • /ˌhɛmɪˈtɛmərfɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hemimetamórfico
  • Dragonflies exhibit a hemimetamorphic life cycle, with young forms called naiads that live in water.

Examples

  • Unlike butterflies, hemimetamorphic insects do not have a pupal stage during development.

  • Mayflies are hemimetamorphic insects because their nymphs are aquatic and look very different from the adults.

  • The hemimetamorphic insects include species like grasshoppers.

  • A hemimetamorphic insect goes through several nymph stages.

  • Dragonflies exhibit a hemimetamorphic life cycle, with young forms called naiads that live in water.

  • Mayflies are hemimetamorphic insects because their nymphs are aquatic and do not resemble the adults.

  • Unlike butterflies, hemimetamorphic insects do not undergo a pupal stage during their development.

Synonyms

hemimetamorphous
vshemimetamorphic
  • Specialized
9.9

An insect whose young live in water and slowly change into adults that look different

is the alternative form with the same meaning
hemimetabolous
vshemimetamorphic
  • Specialized
9.9

Having young that change slowly into adults without a pupal stage

focuses on aquatic young rather than gradual change
hemimetabolic
vshemimetamorphic
  • Specialized
9.9

Insect development where young grow into adults by shedding skins without a pupal stage

highlights aquatic young rather than molting as main focus

How Complete

holometabolous
  • Specialized
9.9
hemimetamorphic
  • Specialized
9.9
ametabolous
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

hemimetamorphic positive

Morphology

hemimetamorphic = metamorphic (semi-transparent) = hemi + meta + morph + ic

The word is built transparently from scientific combining forms meaning 'half' and 'form/change', but the entomological sense is specialized rather than obvious for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word hemimetamorphic comes from Greek parts hemi- meaning 'half' and metamorphosis meaning 'change of form'. So a hemimetamorphic insect goes through only a 'half' change from young to adult, not the big change you see in a butterfly, which is why the young often live in water and do not look like the adults.