Which stage follows after the egg in a complete metamorphosis?

In a complete metamorphosis, the life cycle of an insect typically includes four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. After the egg hatches, the next stage is the larval stage, which is characterized by rapid growth and feeding. The larva often looks very different from the adult form and is primarily focused on consuming food in order to gain the energy necessary for the subsequent stages.

The larval stage is critical for growth because it allows the insect to accumulate the nutrients required before entering the next phase, which is the pupal stage. During this period, the larva molts multiple times and, depending on the species, could have a variety of forms and names (like caterpillars in butterflies).

This understanding of the life cycle helps in recognizing how insects develop and thrive in their environments, guiding practices in pest management and biological control strategies.