Do Flies Go Through Complete Metamorphosis?
WouterComplete metamorphosis is a process whereby insects go through a transformation from one form to another. The process involves the death of some cells and the proliferation of others. The process is triggered by several factors, including starvation, critical weight, temperature changes, or hormonal stimulation. The primary chemical guide for metamorphosis is juvenile hormone, or 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Both larvae and adult insects develop from eggs, which contain genetic information that guides their growth. Insect embryos have imaginal discs that develop into compound eyes, mandibles, and exoskeletons.
Complete metamorphosis can be broken down into four distinct stages. The larva is a stage that is ecologically inactive, while the adult is a stage that reorganizes the entire body. This process can be lengthy, requiring a great deal of energy and time.
A few studies have addressed whether complete metamorphosis is an adaptive advantage for insects. However, one observation from Hinton suggests that this process has evolutionary benefits for insects. It allows an insect to occupy more than one niche, and the larvae have the advantage of not competing with one another.
There is a wide range of scientific opinions on the process of insect metamorphosis. There are different naming conventions for different stages of the process, and different entomologists have different views. However, knowing the process will help you identify the life cycle of a particular insect and attract more of them or control pests.
