Fleas are holometabolous. What does holometabolous development entail?

Fleas are holometabolous. What does holometabolous development entail?

• A. Complete metamorphosis
• B. Incomplete metamorphosis
• C. Ametabolous development
• D. No metamorphosis

Answer: (A)

Holometabolous development means complete metamorphosis: an insect goes through four distinct life stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—with major changes in form and lifestyle at each stage. In fleas, the young are worm-like larvae that live and feed in the environment or on debris, then enter a pupal stage where transformation occurs. The adult emerges as a different-looking, blood-feeding, jumping insect. This stark change from larva to adult, plus the separate pupal phase, is the hallmark of complete metamorphosis.

Holometabolous development means complete metamorphosis: an insect goes through four distinct life stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—with major changes in form and lifestyle at each stage. In fleas, the young are worm-like larvae that live and feed in the environment or on debris, then enter a pupal stage where transformation occurs. The adult emerges as a different-looking, blood-feeding, jumping insect. This stark change from larva to adult, plus the separate pupal phase, is the hallmark of complete metamorphosis.