The most primitive insects, such as springtails, undergo little or no true metamorphosis during their life cycles. Entomologists refer to these insects as ametabolous, from the Greek for "having no metamorphosis". In ametabolous insects, the immature which emerges from the egg looks like a tiny version of the adult. It will molt and grow until it reaches sexual maturity. Ametabolous insects include silverfish, firebrats, and springtails.
Illustration by Debbie Hadley.
