Instar: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary |
Reverted edit by 71.110.146.165 to last version by Goldfinger820 |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:eposlarvae.jpg|thumb|250px|''[[Epiphyas postvittana]] 5<sup>th</sup> instar larvae]]An '''instar''' is a developmental stage of [[arthropods]], such as [[insects]], between each molt. Arthropods must shed the [[exoskeleton]] in order to grow or assume a new form. For most insect species the term "instar" is used to denote the developmental stage of the larval or nymphal forms of [[holometabolous]] or [[hemimetabolous]] insects, however the term can be used to describe any developmental stage including pupa or [[imago]]. Differences between instars can often be seen in altered body proportions or changes in the number of body segments. |
[[Image:eposlarvae.jpg|thumb|250px|''[[Epiphyas postvittana]] 5<sup>th</sup> instar larvae]]An '''instar''' is a developmental stage of [[arthropods]], such as [[insects]], between each molt. Arthropods must shed the [[exoskeleton]] in order to grow or assume a new form. For most insect species the term "instar" is used to denote the developmental stage of the larval or nymphal forms of [[holometabolous]] or [[hemimetabolous]] insects, however the term can be used to describe any developmental stage including pupa or [[imago]]. Differences between instars can often be seen in altered body proportions or changes in the number of body segments. |
||
The number of instars an insect completes depends on the species and the environmental conditions with cooler temperatures and lower humidity often slowing developmental rates. |
The number of instars an insect completes depends on the species and the environmental conditions with cooler temperatures and lower humidity often slowing developmental rates. |
||
Revision as of 04:56, 23 April 2006
An instar is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, between each molt. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to grow or assume a new form. For most insect species the term "instar" is used to denote the developmental stage of the larval or nymphal forms of holometabolous or hemimetabolous insects, however the term can be used to describe any developmental stage including pupa or imago. Differences between instars can often be seen in altered body proportions or changes in the number of body segments.
The number of instars an insect completes depends on the species and the environmental conditions with cooler temperatures and lower humidity often slowing developmental rates.