What term describes the phase in which insect larvae develop into adults?

The term that describes the phase in which insect larvae develop into adults is metamorphosis. This process involves distinct stages, often starting from an egg and transitioning through various larval stages before reaching the adult form. Insects undergo metamorphosis in two main forms: complete (holometabolism), which includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, and incomplete (hemimetabolism), which involves egg, nymph, and adult stages.

Metamorphosis is essential for many insects as it signifies a significant transformation in morphology and behavior. For example, during the pupal stage, the organism undergoes dramatic changes that enable it to emerge as a fully formed adult capable of reproduction, thereby continuing its life cycle. The other options do not accurately encapsulate this transformation phase in the same comprehensive manner. Emergence refers specifically to the transition of an adult from the pupal stage, hatching describes the process of eggs cracking open to release larvae, and development is a more general term that could apply to various life stages but doesn't specifically denote the transformation into adulthood.