Which insects are known for undergoing complete metamorphosis?

Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis go through four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This process allows for significant changes in form and function between the stages. Flies, moths, and ants are well-known examples of insects that undergo this complete metamorphosis.

Flies, for instance, start as eggs laid in suitable habitats, hatch into larvae (commonly referred to as maggots), then enter a pupal stage, during which they undergo significant transformation before emerging as mature adults. Similarly, moths lay eggs that hatch into caterpillars (larvae), which then become pupae in cocoons, ultimately emerging as adult moths. Ants also follow this life cycle where eggs hatch into larvae that are fed and cared for by worker ants, advance to pupae, and finally develop into adult ants.

In contrast, the other groups listed do not undergo complete metamorphosis. Silverfish and springtails are examples of insects that undergo a simpler process called gradual metamorphosis, where they go through egg, nymph, and adult stages without a pupal stage. Cockroaches and termites also follow this pathway. Dragonflies and mayflies similarly undergo incomplete metamorphosis, where