Which two types of metamorphosis are recognized in insects?

Insects are recognized for undergoing two primary types of metamorphosis: complete metamorphosis and incomplete metamorphosis. Complete metamorphosis involves four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This transformation allows for significant changes in form and function, where larvae are often very different from the adult stage and occupy different ecological niches. This type of metamorphosis is observed in insects like butterflies and beetles.

Incomplete metamorphosis, on the other hand, consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. In this process, the nymph stage resembles a small adult and gradually develops into its final form without a distinct pupal stage. Such a developmental pattern can be seen in insects like grasshoppers and cockroaches.

The other options, such as linear and branched, radical and gradual, and simple and complex, do not accurately describe the recognized types of metamorphosis in the context of insect development. Each of these terms does not align with entomological terminology and understanding of insect life cycles. Therefore, the distinction between complete and incomplete metamorphosis is crucial for understanding the biological processes that govern insect growth and development.