Housefly metamorphosis (fourth of four images). Macrophotograph of a housefly, Musca domestica, undergoing metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is the transfo

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Housefly metamorphosis (fourth of four images). Macrophotograph of a housefly, Musca domestica, undergoing metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is the transformation from an immature form (larva) into an adult. Here the adult form is emerging from the top of its pupa. The pupa was the dormant stage in which it changed body shape. The adult broke out of the pupa by pumping blood from its abdomen into an inflatable sac which projected from its head. After emerging from the pupa, the fly will inflate its wings. After waiting for 30 minutes to let its soft body harden, the fly's metamorphosis is complete. (See also Z340/421-423).

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Size: 3582px × 5358px
Photo credit: © CLAUDE NURIDSANY & MARIE PERENNOU/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, domestica, fly, housefly, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, metamorphosis, musca, nature, wildlife, zoology