Holometabola comprises how many insect orders?

Holometabola comprises how many insect orders?

• A. 9
• B. 10
• C. 11
• D. 12

Answer: (C)

Holometabola are insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, with four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This developmental plan is shared by a broad set of orders, including familiar groups like beetles (Coleoptera), flies (Diptera), moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), and bees, ants, and wasps (Hymenoptera), as well as several smaller orders such as snakeflies (Raphidioptera), lacewings and relatives (Neuroptera), alderflies and fishflies (Megaloptera), scorpionflies (Mecoptera), fleas (Siphonaptera), twisted-wing parasites (Strepsiptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera). Altogether, these eleven orders comprise Holometabola.

Holometabola are insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, with four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This developmental plan is shared by a broad set of orders, including familiar groups like beetles (Coleoptera), flies (Diptera), moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), and bees, ants, and wasps (Hymenoptera), as well as several smaller orders such as snakeflies (Raphidioptera), lacewings and relatives (Neuroptera), alderflies and fishflies (Megaloptera), scorpionflies (Mecoptera), fleas (Siphonaptera), twisted-wing parasites (Strepsiptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera). Altogether, these eleven orders comprise Holometabola.