Which statement about flies is true regarding metamorphosis?

Which statement about flies is true regarding metamorphosis?

• A. Flies are incomplete metamorphosis.
• B. Flies are complete metamorphosis.
• C. Flies do not metamorphose.
• D. Flies metamorphose only as larvae.

Answer: (B)

Flies undergo complete metamorphosis, meaning their life cycle has four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva (maggot) looks very different from the adult, and the big transformation happens during the pupal stage, producing a winged adult with adult-specific features. This holometabolous development is typical of flies and other groups like butterflies, beetles, and bees. Because of this, the idea that metamorphosis only occurs in the larval stage isn’t correct for flies. Incomplete metamorphosis would involve nymphs that resemble small adults, which is not how flies develop. Flies do metamorphose, and the pupal stage is a key part of that transformation.

Flies undergo complete metamorphosis, meaning their life cycle has four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva (maggot) looks very different from the adult, and the big transformation happens during the pupal stage, producing a winged adult with adult-specific features. This holometabolous development is typical of flies and other groups like butterflies, beetles, and bees. Because of this, the idea that metamorphosis only occurs in the larval stage isn’t correct for flies. Incomplete metamorphosis would involve nymphs that resemble small adults, which is not how flies develop. Flies do metamorphose, and the pupal stage is a key part of that transformation.