complete metamorphosis

noun

1. insect development in which egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages occur, each differing greatly in morphology. Compare incomplete metamorphosis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of complete metamorphosis¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Like all beetles, the firefly cycles through a complete metamorphosis—hatching from its egg as a crawling larva before pupating into a mature adult.

From Science Magazine

“I’m convinced he went through a complete metamorphosis,” retired Army Gen. Jack Keane told the Los Angeles Times in 2008.

From Washington Post

But her co-workers told her to expect “a complete metamorphosis when the sun went down.”

From Washington Times

As Maria discovered, all butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis, which means they move through four very different phases: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

From Literature

So many species with such a wide range of incomplete to complete metamorphosis!

From New York Times