Which life cycle involves an egg, larva, pupa, and adult?

The life cycle that includes an egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages is known as complete metamorphosis. This biological process is characterized by distinct and different stages of development, each with unique forms and functions.

In complete metamorphosis, the organism starts as an egg, which hatches into a larva. The larval stage is primarily focused on growth and feeding. After sufficient growth, the larva enters the pupa stage, during which it undergoes significant transformation, often occurring within a protective casing. Finally, the adult emerges from the pupa, having undergone dramatic changes in structure and function. This process is observed in many insects, such as butterflies and beetles, and is crucial for the adaptation and survival of the species.

In contrast, incomplete metamorphosis involves only three stages: egg, nymph, and adult, without a distinct pupal stage. Asexual reproduction is a process that does not involve the formation of eggs and larvae, while instar development refers to the stages of growth between molts in organisms that undergo molting, rather than a complete transformation involving distinct life stages. This clarifies why the life cycle with egg, larva, pupa, and adult is specifically categorized as complete metam