complete metamorphosis
noun
1.
insect development in which egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages occur, each differing greatly in morphology.
Compare
incomplete metamorphosis
.
Origin
1840-50
Examples from the web for
complete metamorphosis
They are
complete metamorphosis
, in
complete metamorphosis
and direct development.
These two types of life cycles are referred to as
complete metamorphosis
and simple metamorphosis, respectively.
Monarchs go through a
complete metamorphosis
in three to six weeks.