hemimetabolous
/ˌhɛmɪmɪˈtæbələs/
adjective
- Describing insects that go through incomplete metamorphosis, where the young (nymphs) look similar to adults but lack wings and reproductive organs, and there is no pupal stage.
- Many students find it easier to study hemimetabolous insects because their changes are less dramatic than those of butterflies.
- In a hemimetabolous life cycle, the nymph gradually develops wings as it molts.
- Grasshoppers are hemimetabolous insects, so their young look like tiny adults without wings.
Antonyms