Which of the following statements is true about complete metamorphosis life stages?

• A. Involves egg, larva, pupa, and adult
• B. Involves egg, nymph, adult
• C. Involves egg, larva, pupa, juvenile
• D. Involves egg, larva, chrysalis, adult

Answer: (A)

Complete metamorphosis produces four distinct life stages, each very different in appearance and function. The sequence is egg, larva, pupa, adult. This is true because in holometabolous insects the larva is typically worm-like and focused on feeding, the pupa is a transformation stage, and the adult's role is reproduction and dispersal. The other descriptions don’t fit this pattern: missing a pupal stage (egg, nymph, adult) describes incomplete metamorphosis; ending with juvenile isn’t the standard term for the final stage; or using chrysalis is a butterfly-specific term, while the general pupal stage applies to all groups with complete metamorphosis. Therefore, egg, larva, pupa, and adult accurately represents complete metamorphosis.