Question
State two advantages of metamorphosis in insects.
Answer
Insects undergo metamorphosis, a transformation across life stages involving structural, behavioral, and habitat changes. This includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Insect species display two main types: incomplete (with nymphs) and complete (with distinct larval and pupal stages) metamorphosis.
2. Adaptation to Different Environments: Pupa can survive adverse environmental conditions
3. Ecological Niche Diversification: Different life stages can occupy distinct ecological niches, allowing insects to exploit various resources and habitats throughout their lifetimes, which increases their chances of survival.
4. Predation Avoidance: Immature stages, such as larvae and pupae, can have different appearances and behaviors from adults, reducing their vulnerability to predators that target specific life stages.
Importance of Metamorphosis in Insects
1. Resource Partitioning: Larvae and adult feed on different food / avoid competition for food between larvae and adult2. Adaptation to Different Environments: Pupa can survive adverse environmental conditions
3. Ecological Niche Diversification: Different life stages can occupy distinct ecological niches, allowing insects to exploit various resources and habitats throughout their lifetimes, which increases their chances of survival.
4. Predation Avoidance: Immature stages, such as larvae and pupae, can have different appearances and behaviors from adults, reducing their vulnerability to predators that target specific life stages.
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