holometaboly
- noun
- /ˌhoʊloʊˈmɛtəˌbɑli/
- Specialized
:
holometábola
- Butterflies undergo holometaboly, passing through larval, pupal, and adult stages.
Examples
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The process of holometaboly includes distinct larval and pupal stages.
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Many insects undergo holometaboly during their life cycle.
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Beetles exemplify holometaboly by transforming dramatically during their life cycle.
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Understanding holometaboly is essential for entomologists studying insect development.
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Beetles exemplify holometaboly by transforming dramatically during their life cycle.
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Butterflies undergo holometaboly, passing through larval, pupal, and adult stages.
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Understanding holometaboly is essential for entomologists studying insect development.
Synonyms
An insect life cycle with four stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult
How Complete
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
holometaboly = metaboly (opaque) = holo + metaboly
The term is built from Greek combining forms and is a specialized entomological term, so learners who know common English words are unlikely to infer its meaning reliably.
Etymology
The word holometaboly comes from holo- meaning 'whole' and metaboly meaning 'change', like the familiar word metamorphosis. So holometaboly describes a 'whole change' in insects that go from a worm-like young stage to a pupa and then to a very different adult.
