Which statement best describes complete metamorphosis?

• A. Includes two stages: Egg and adult.
• B. Includes three stages: Egg, larva, adult.
• C. Includes four stages: Egg, larva, pupa, adult.
• D. Includes five stages: Egg, larva, chrysalis, pupa, adult.

Answer: (C)

Complete metamorphosis, also called holometabolism, involves four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva and adult typically look very different and have different lifestyles, and the transformation during the pupal stage reshapes the body into the adult form. The option that lists these four stages—egg, larva, pupa, adult—matches this pattern exactly. The other statements omit the pupal stage, or add an extra labeled stage (like both chrysalis and pupa) that isn’t used in the standard description of complete metamorphosis.