What is the Difference Between Ametabolous and Hemimetabolous?

The difference between ametabolous and hemimetabolous lies in the degree of metamorphosis that insects undergo during their development.

Ametabolous refers to insects that show little or no metamorphosis. These insects gradually increase in size and mostly include primitive, wingless insects. Examples of ametabolous insects are silverfish and springtails. The juvenile stages of these insects are similar to the adults, only smaller, and they undergo several gradual changes or molts to become mature adults.

Hemimetabolous refers to insects that show incomplete metamorphosis. Their life cycle includes three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The pupal stage is absent, and the nymphs or naiads undergo gradual metamorphism and turn into adults. Examples of hemimetabolous insects include true bugs, grasshoppers, praying mantises, mayflies, and damselflies.

In summary:

• Ametabolous insects show little or no metamorphosis, with gradual changes from juvenile to adult stages.
• Hemimetabolous insects show incomplete metamorphosis, with egg, nymph, and adult stages, and gradual changes from nymph to adult stages.

Comparative Table: Ametabolous vs Hemimetabolous

Here is a table comparing the differences between ametabolous and hemimetabolous insects:

Ametabolous insects do not show any significant changes in form during their development, while hemimetabolous insects experience partial or incomplete changes in form as they develop.