What is the series of changes that insects go through from egg to adulthood called?

The term that describes the series of changes that insects undergo from egg to adulthood is known as metamorphosis. This biological process encompasses various life stages, typically involving distinct transformations such as larval, pupal, and adult stages, depending on the type of insect. For instance, in complete metamorphosis, an insect starts as an egg, then hatches into a larva, which develops into a pupa, and finally emerges as an adult. This process is crucial for the development and transformation of insects, allowing them to adapt to different environmental conditions and life requirements through their various life stages.

Other options do not describe the insect development process accurately. Photosynthesis relates to how plants convert sunlight into energy, which is not relevant to insect life cycles. Molt refers specifically to the shedding of an outer layer, typically associated with the growth phase in some insects but does not encompass the entire life cycle from egg to adult. Generational shift is not a commonly recognized term in this context and does not apply to the specific biological changes that insects undergo.