Imago
Last stage in an insect's metamorphosis
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In biology , the imago ( Latin for "image") is the last stage an insect attains during its metamorphosis , its process of growth and development; it is also called the imaginal stage, the stage in which the insect attains maturity. It follows the final ecdysis of the immature instars . [1]
In a member of the Ametabola or Hemimetabola , in which metamorphosis is "incomplete", the final ecdysis follows the last immature or nymphal stage. In members of the Holometabola , in which there is a pupal stage, the final ecdysis follows emergence from the pupa , after which the metamorphosis is complete, although there is a prolonged period of maturation in some species. [2]
The imago is the only stage during which the insect is sexually mature and, if it is a winged species, has functional wings. The imago often is referred to as the adult stage. [1]
Members of the order Ephemeroptera (mayflies) do not have a pupal stage, but they briefly pass through an extra winged stage called the subimago . Insects at this stage have functional wings but are not yet sexually mature. [1]
The Latin plural of imago is imagines , and this is the term generally used by entomologists – however, imagoes is also acceptable. [3]
See also
References
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- 1 2 3 Carpenter, Geo. H., The Life-Story of Insects. Cambridge University Press 1913. May be downloaded from: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16410 or https://archive.org/details/thelifestoryofin16410gut
- ↑ Richards, O. W.; Davies, R. G. (1977). Imms' General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 1: Structure, Physiology and Development Volume 2: Classification and Biology . Berlin: Springer. ISBN 0-412-61390-5 .
- ↑ Gordh, Gordon; Headrick, David H. A Dictionary of Entomology . Publisher: CABI 2010. ISBN 978-1845935429