What are the four stages of complete metamorphosis of an insect?

The four stages of complete metamorphosis of an insect are correctly identified as egg, pupa, larva, and adult. This process begins with the laying of eggs, which hatch into the larval stage. The larva is typically a feeding and growth phase and can look quite different from the adult insect. After the larval stage, the insect enters the pupa stage, during which it undergoes significant transformation within a protective casing. Finally, the adult stage emerges from the pupa, ready to reproduce and continue the life cycle.

In contrast to the other options, the correct sequence captures the fundamental biological process of complete metamorphosis. Some options include stages that are not part of the typical lifecycle, like caterpillar, which refers specifically to a larval form of certain insects (like butterflies) but does not represent a universal stage across all insects. Additionally, including nymph in one of the answers suggests an incomplete metamorphosis, which is not applicable to the question since it focuses on complete metamorphosis. This distinction highlights the structured progression of development that is key to understanding insect life cycles.