Endopterygota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids EndopterygotaTemporal range: Pennsylvanian – Recent
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| Panorpa communis, a scorpionfly | |
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Endopterygota
Sharp, 1898
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The Endopterygota, also known as Holometabola, are a special group of insects. These insects go through a complete change during their lives. This process is called complete metamorphosis.
This means they have four very different stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage looks and acts very differently from the others. For example, a caterpillar (larva) looks nothing like a butterfly (adult). This amazing transformation helps them survive and thrive.
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What Makes Endopterygota Special?
Endopterygota are different from other insects because of how their wings grow. The name "Endopterygota" means "internal winged forms." This is a big clue! Their wings develop inside their bodies during the pupa stage. Other insects, like grasshoppers, grow their wings on the outside.
When Did They First Appear?
Scientists have found very old fossils of Endopterygota. These fossils date back to the Carboniferous period. This was a very long time ago, hundreds of millions of years! It shows that these insects have been around for a very long time.
Life Cycle: Complete Metamorphosis
The life cycle of an Endopterygota insect is truly fascinating. It involves a full transformation, which is why it's called "complete metamorphosis."
The Four Stages
Here are the four main stages:
- Egg: The life cycle begins when the adult female lays an egg. These eggs are often laid on a food source for the future larva.
- Larva: After hatching, the insect is in its larval stage. Larvae often look like worms or caterpillars. Their main job is to eat and grow. They shed their skin several times as they get bigger.
- Pupa: Once the larva is fully grown, it enters the pupa stage. During this stage, the insect is often still and doesn't eat. Inside the pupa, amazing changes happen. The larval body breaks down, and the adult body forms. This is where the wings grow inside.
- Adult: Finally, the adult insect emerges from the pupa. Adults are usually winged and can fly. Their main job is to reproduce and lay eggs, starting the cycle all over again.
This complete change allows the larva and adult to live in different ways. They can eat different foods and avoid competing with each other. This is a very successful strategy in the insect world.
Images for kids
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Holometabolism stages in Hymenoptera
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A robot friend
See also
In Spanish: Endopterigotos para niños
