Complete Metamorphosis Has Four Stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult

In each stage of complete metamorphosis, the animal looks different than at all other stages. This is different from incomplete metamorphosis where the early stages of development look like tiny versions of the adult. Butterflies are an example of an insect that goes through all the stages of complete metamorphosis.

Beetle Life Cycle

Newly hatched (white) and day-old (tan) "mealworms"

Ants undergo complete metamorphosis, passing through a sequence of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.