Abstract
In common with other arthropods, being bounded by the confines of a hard external shell means that insects cannot grow continuously but must undergo a series of moults in order to increase in size. The insect body inside separates from the exoskeleton, which is then split and shed, leaving a larger new and initially soft exoskeleton for the insect to expand into. Successive moults separate different stages (stadia, instars) that approach the adult stage with reproductive capability. Along this path, the body increases in size and may change in appearance in various ways.
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Further Reading
(The texts listed under Chap. 1 are all useful adjuncts to this chapter)
Tauber MJ, Tauber CA, Masaki S (1986) Seasonal adaptations of insects. Oxford University Press, New York (comprehensive synthesis of early work on diapause and seasonal patterns of life histories in insects)
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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
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New, T.R. (2011). Insect Life Histories. In: ‘In Considerable Variety’: Introducing the Diversity of Australia’s Insects. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1780-0_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1780-0_3
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