Final answer:
The difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis is in the developmental stages of an insect's life cycle, with complete metamorphosis having four distinct stages and incomplete metamorphosis involving nymphs that resemble the adults, molting to maturity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis lies in the developmental stages through which an insect goes during its life cycle. In incomplete metamorphosis, seen in insects like grasshoppers, the young (often called nymphs) resemble small, wingless adults and undergo a series of molts where they grow larger and eventually develop functional wings and reproductive organs. Complete metamorphosis, seen in butterflies, is characterized by four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult, with each stage appearing very different from the others. During this process, immature forms called larvae usually have chewing mouthparts, which might be different from sucking mouthparts of the adult phase. The larvae transform into a non-eating, immobile pupa, from which the adult emerges. Complete metamorphosis allows for the larval and adult stages to have different diets and habitats, potentially reducing competition for resources between the stages.