Hypermetamorphosis: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Hypermetamorphosis is the form of metamorphosis done by certain beetles, notably Meloidae and Rhipiphoridae, and the Strepsiptera. The first instar larva is markedly different from later instars; in the Strepsiptera it has legs and eyes, which it loses on finding a host and molting. The first instar larva of Meloidae has three claws on each foot, and is therefore called a triungulin; this name is applied by extension to other first-instar hypermetamorphic insects.