Insect Life Cycles

Insects have some of the most amazing life cycles in nature. Most insects start as tiny eggs. They go through big changes as they grow. Some insects change their body shape completely. This process of changing form is called metamorphosis.

Complete Metamorphosis

Many insects go through four stages of change. They start as an egg, then become a larva. The larva eats and grows bigger. Next it becomes a pupa, resting inside a case. Finally, the adult insect emerges with a whole new body shape. Butterflies, beetles, and ants all do this.

Incomplete Metamorphosis

Some insects skip the pupa stage. They go through only three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Nymphs look like tiny adults but have no wings. They shed their skin several times as they grow. Grasshoppers, dragonflies, and crickets grow this way.

Fun Facts

• A single queen termite can lay about 30,000 eggs in one day.
• Cicadas can spend up to 17 years underground as nymphs before becoming adults.
• Some beetles go through the larva stage for several years before becoming adults.

Did You Know?

A dragonfly nymph lives underwater for up to five years before it crawls out, sheds its skin, and flies away as a beautiful adult dragonfly!