Hypermetamorphosis is a kind of complete metamorphosis in which the different larval instars represent two or more different forms of larva. As the larva molts its morphology can change from that of a campodeiform larva to scarabaeiform (grublike) or to vermiform (maggotlike).^[1] Some of these instars are very active, while instars closer to final pupation become less active, in some cases.

It is exhibited by certain parasitoid insects, notably the beetle families Meloidae and Ripiphoridae, the fly family Acroceridae, the parasitic wasp family Eucharitidae, and the order Strepsiptera.

References

1. Triplehorn, Charles (2005). Borror and Delong's Introduction to the Study of Insects. Peter Marshall. 

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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Hypermetamorphosis". Image Credit.

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