Hypermetamorphosis

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Hypermetamorphosis is the form of metamorphosis done by certain beetles, notably Meloidae and Rhipiphoridae, and the Strepsiptera. The first instar larva is markedly different from later instars; in the Strepsiptera it has legs and eyes, which it loses on finding a host and molting. The first instar larva of Meloidae has three claws on each foot, and is therefore called a triungulin; this name is applied by extension to other first-instar hypermetamorphic insects.

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