Which type of metamorphosis involves a resting stage?

Complete metamorphosis is characterized by a significant transformation through distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The resting stage within this process is the pupa, where the organism undergoes a complete restructuring of its body to transition into its adult form. This transformative phase allows the larvae to develop into a fully-fledged adult with different physiological characteristics and often a different ecological role.

In contrast, gradual metamorphosis, incomplete metamorphosis, and ametaboly do not include this defined resting stage. Gradual and incomplete metamorphosis involve changes that occur through gradual development rather than a distinct pupal stage, while ametaboly describes a simple growth process without metamorphosis, where young individuals resemble smaller versions of adults. This structure highlights why complete metamorphosis, with its inclusion of a pupal resting stage, stands out in the context of metamorphic development.