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Glite Dictionary
hemimetamorphous

hemimetamorphous

9.9
An insect whose young live in water and slowly change into adults that look different
  • adjective
  • /ˌhɛmɪˈtɛmərfəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hemimetamórfico
  • Dragonflies are classic examples of hemimetamorphous insects, as their young live underwater before becoming aerial adults.

Examples

  • In a hemimetamorphous life cycle, the transformation from nymph to adult is gradual and lacks a pupal stage.

  • Many aquatic bugs are hemimetamorphous, passing through nymph stages that differ greatly from the adult form.

  • The hemimetamorphous insects, like dragonflies, have nymphs that differ greatly from the adults.

  • Many hemimetamorphous species thrive in freshwater environments.

  • Dragonflies are classic examples of hemimetamorphous insects, as their young live underwater before becoming aerial adults.

  • In a hemimetamorphous life cycle, the transformation from nymph to adult is gradual and lacks a pupal stage.

  • Many aquatic bugs are hemimetamorphous, with nymph stages that look quite different from their adult forms.

Synonyms

hemimetamorphic
vshemimetamorphous
  • Specialized
9.9

An insect whose young live in water and do not look like the adult

is a variant spelling of the same technical term rather than a different meaning
hemimetabolous
vshemimetamorphous
  • Specialized
9.9

Having young that change slowly into adults without a pupal stage

highlights aquatic immature stages rather than the gradual pace of change
hemimetabolic
vshemimetamorphous
  • Specialized
9.9

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

focuses on aquatic young rather than molting details

Surface Forms

hemimetamorphous positive

Morphology

hemimetamorphous = hemimetamorphosis (semi-transparent) = hemi + metamorphosis + ous

Forming an adjective from the noun 'hemimetamorphosis' with the productive suffix '-ous' is a regular and predictable process.

Etymology

The word hemimetamorphous is made of hemi- 'half', meta- 'change' and -morph 'form', the same pieces you see in metamorphosis and hemisphere. So it means a 'half change of form', which describes insects whose young change slowly and do not go through a full pupal stage.