Which of the following insects undergoes a complete life cycle?

The insect that undergoes a complete life cycle is the butterfly. A complete life cycle consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (butterfly). This transformation is known as metamorphosis, and it is characterized by significant changes in form and function at each stage.

In contrast, grasshoppers and cockroaches exhibit an incomplete life cycle, which includes only three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. They do not undergo a pupal stage. Aphids also have a more complex reproduction cycle, often resulting in live births rather than significant metamorphosis, and they do not undergo a complete life cycle like butterflies.

The presence of the four stages in the lifecycle of a butterfly not only highlights the process of metamorphosis but also emphasizes the adaptability and survival strategies that butterflies have developed throughout their evolution. Understanding these stages is crucial for studying insect biology and ecology, making the butterfly the correct answer in the context of complete life cycles.