Change is Good
All insects change in form as they grow; this process is called Metamorphosis. There are two kinds of insect metamorphosis, simple (or incomplete) and complex (or complete) metamorphosis.
- Simple metamorphosis: Grasshoppers, along with dragonflies and many other insects, go through simple metamorphosis. This is a 3 stage process: Egg to Nymph to Adult. The young nymphs usually look much like small wingless adults. The wings develop externally.
Here is a partial list of insects that use simple metamorphosis.
A Band-winged grasshopper in the Nymph stage of development. Note the short stubby wings.
A Band-winged grasshopper, in the Adult stage of its development. Note the long wings.
- Complex metamorphosis: Butterflies and moths undergo complex metamorphosis, in which there are 4 distinct stages: Egg to Larva to Pupa to Adult. With Complex metamorphosis, the immature insects and the adults have different forms, often live in different habitats, and may have very different behavior.
A Monarch caterpillar, the Larva stage of complex metamorphosis.
A Monarch chrysalis, the Pupa stage of complex metamorphosis.
A Monarch Butterfly, the Adult stage of complex metamorphosis.
