‖ hemimetabola, n. pl. Entom.
(ˌhɛmɪmɪˈtæbələ)
[mod.L. neut. pl. (sc. insecta), f. Gr. ἡµι- hemi- + µετάβολος changeable.]
A division of Insects comprising those which undergo incomplete metamorphosis.
| 1870 Nicholson Zool. (1880) 341 Insects are divided into sections, called respectively Ametabola, Hemimetabola, and Holometabola. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 508 In the Hemi-metabola, the larva may differ notably from the adult in the structure of the antennæ, eyes, mouthparts..as well as in the absence of wings. |
Hence hemimetaˈbolic, hemimeˈtabolous adjs., of the nature of the Hemimetabola; undergoing incomplete metamorphosis. hemimeˈtaboly, incomplete metamorphosis.
| 1870 Rolleston Anim. Life Introd. 113 The adult insect, whilst gaining certain organs which the larva does not possess, such as wings, loses certain others, which the larva does possess, such as the provisional structures making up the ‘mask’ of the Libellulidæ..Such insects are called ‘Hemimetabolous’. 1875 Blake Zool. 281 In the hemimetabolic insects there is a metamorphosis, which consists of 3 stages. |