What is the number of developmental stages in complete metamorphosis?

In complete metamorphosis, an insect undergoes four distinct developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This life cycle begins with the egg hatching into the larval stage, which is primarily focused on growth and feeding. After sufficient growth, the larvae enter the pupal stage, during which they undergo significant physiological changes inside a protective casing. Finally, the adult emerges from the pupa, ready to reproduce and continue the cycle. Understanding this process is crucial for managing pests in agricultural settings because it helps in identifying the most effective times to apply control measures, particularly targeting larvae or adults at specific life stages to minimize crop damage and maximize the effectiveness of pest control strategies. This is why the correct answer indicates that there are four developmental stages in complete metamorphosis.