What is juvenile hormone's role in insect development?

Juvenile hormone plays a crucial role in regulating insect development, particularly by maintaining the larval state and inhibiting the transition to adulthood. When juvenile hormone levels are high, they signal the insect to continue growing without undergoing metamorphosis. Essentially, this hormone promotes the characteristics of younger stages and prevents the onset of adult features.

As the insect prepares to undergo metamorphosis, levels of juvenile hormone decrease, allowing the insect to mature and eventually transform into its adult form. This regulation is vital for ensuring that insects develop properly at each stage of their life cycle. In this way, juvenile hormone makes sure that the insect does not prematurely transition into adulthood before it has fully developed as a larva.