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What are the four stages of complete metamorphosis in beetles?
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Coleoptera
African goliath beetle (Goliathus giganteus).
Beetles undergo complete metamorphosis, also known as holometabolous development, which consists of four distinct stages. These stages are:12
- Egg: The life cycle begins when the female lays eggs.12
- Larva: After hatching, the insect enters the larval stage, where it focuses on feeding and growth. During this time, the larva molts several times as it increases in size.12
- Pupa: The insect enters a nonfeeding, transformative stage. During this period, the larval tissues are broken down and adult structures, such as wings, are developed.12
- Adult: The final stage begins when the insect emerges from the pupal skin. The adult's outer skeleton hardens and becomes colored, and the wings reach their full size.1