hypermetamorphosis noun, adjective
hypermetamorphic - When an insect passes through more than the three normal stages of complete
metamorphosis. To explain this the example of the larva of the Oil Beetle (
Meloidae) is taken: - This campodiform larva (
triungulin, a type of
planidium) lives an active life on plants until it attaches itself to a bee, which carries it to the hive, where it feeds on her eggs. After casting the skin it becomes a short-legged grub, and feeds on the honey. Another change of skin leads to a third stage, in which no food is taken, the jaws being immovable, and the legs reduced to
tubercles. A third moult is succeeded by the fourth and final larval condition; the Oil Beetle grub being now a maggot resembling in appearance those of the bees, living and feeding on honey (
Jardine).
Mantispidae - Mantidflies (neuroptera)
