Utah Ornamental and Turf Pest Control Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

Metamorphosis refers to the developmental process in which an insect undergoes distinct life stages, typically including an egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Insects that exhibit metamorphosis may transform from a very different-looking juvenile form to a drastically different adult form.

The caterpillar is a prime example because it is the larval stage of a butterfly or moth. During its lifecycle, it will feed and grow until it reaches a certain size, at which point it will enter the pupal stage, commonly known as the chrysalis. Within this pupa, the caterpillar undergoes significant changes before emerging as a fully formed butterfly or moth. This transformation highlights the classic example of complete metamorphosis.

In contrast, while ants and termites do exhibit some metamorphic stages, their development consists of a simpler progression from egg to larva to pupa and finally to adult, which can sometimes blur lines with incomplete metamorphosis. Spiders, on the other hand, do not undergo metamorphosis as they are arachnids, not insects, and their development involves a series of molts rather than distinct life stages. Thus, the choice of caterpillar effectively illustrates the process of metamorphosis.