During an insect's life cycle, what is the term for the process of changing from a larval form to an adult?

The term that describes the process of an insect changing from its larval form to an adult is metamorphosis. This process is crucial in the life cycle of many insects, particularly those that undergo complete metamorphosis, which includes distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. During metamorphosis, the larva undergoes significant physical changes, transforming into the adult form with developed features such as wings and reproductive organs.

Development is a broader term that encompasses all changes an organism undergoes throughout its life cycle, including growth and maturation, but does not specifically refer to the transition from larval stage to adult. Eclosion refers specifically to the emergence of the adult insect from its pupal stage, emphasizing the act of breaking out of the pupal casing rather than the entire transformation process. Emergence is also related to the phase when an insect comes out of its pupal stage, but like eclosion, it does not capture the entirety of the metamorphic process. Therefore, metamorphosis accurately reflects the full transition from larva to adult.