How are insects classified that have a holometabolous life cycle?

Insects with a holometabolous life cycle are classified as those that undergo complete metamorphosis. This life cycle consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage has different forms, habitats, and lifestyles. For instance, the larval stage often specializes in feeding and growth, while the pupal stage is a transformative phase where the insect undergoes significant internal and external changes to emerge as an adult.

This classification is essential because it distinguishes holometabolous insects from those with hemimetabolous life cycles, where the insects undergo incomplete metamorphosis with three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The differences in metamorphosis type have significant implications for insect behavior, ecology, and development strategies, making the understanding of these classifications crucial in entomology.