TED-ED: The weird and wonderful metamorphosis of the butterfly - Franziska Bauer

The video explains the process of complete metamorphosis in insects, focusing on how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. It describes the role of hormones and imaginal discs in this transformation, the evolutionary theories behind metamorphosis, and the survival advantages it provides. Despite the complexity, metamorphosis is common among insects, allowing larvae and adults to occupy different ecological niches and survive periods of food scarcity.

What is the leading theory regarding the evolution of complete metamorphosis in insects?

How does the pupa stage benefit the butterfly during its life cycle?