heterometabolous

/ˌhɛtəroʊməˈtæbələs/
adjective
  1. Describing insects that develop through heterometabolism, with young that resemble wingless adults and grow wings gradually.
    • A heterometabolous life cycle means there is no cocoon or pupa stage.
    • The biology textbook explained which orders of insects are heterometabolous.
    • Cockroaches are heterometabolous insects, so their babies look like tiny adults without wings.
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