Complete metamorphosis involves which of the following stages?

The correct answer highlights the four distinct stages involved in complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This process is characteristic of certain insects, such as butterflies, beetles, and bees, where a significant transformation occurs through these stages.

1. The egg stage is the initial phase where fertilized eggs are laid.

2. The larval stage, which follows, is often a feeding and growth phase where the organism appears completely different from the adult form, commonly resembling caterpillars or grubs.

3. The pupal stage involves a significant transformation where the larva undergoes changes to develop into its adult form. It may be encased in a cocoon or chrysalis, during which it does not feed and undergoes profound physiological changes.

4. Finally, the adult stage emerges, displaying the characteristics and structures that define the species.

This life cycle contrasts with incomplete metamorphosis, which involves just three stages: egg, nymph, and adult, where the nymphs resemble smaller versions of the adults. The option that mentions only certain stages or lacks the complete sequence fails to encompass the full process of complete metamorphosis, which is crucial for understanding the life