Which insect is in the order Lepidoptera and has complete metamorphosis with sucking mouthparts?

Which insect is in the order Lepidoptera and has complete metamorphosis with sucking mouthparts?

• A. Corn Earworm
• B. European Hornet
• C. Damselfly
• D. Field Cricket

Answer: (A)

Lepidoptera, which includes moths and butterflies, all undergo complete metamorphosis and most have mouthparts adapted for sucking nectar with a coiled proboscis. The corn earworm is a moth, so it belongs to Lepidoptera, and it follows the four life stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. The adult moth uses its sucking mouthparts to feed on nectar, which fits the description of complete metamorphosis plus sucking mouthparts. The other insects come from different orders and don’t match both features: the European hornet is a Hymenopteran with chewing mouthparts; the damselfly is an Odonatan with chewing mouthparts and incomplete metamorphosis; the field cricket is an Orthopteran with chewing mouthparts and incomplete metamorphosis. So the corn earworm best fits the description.

Lepidoptera, which includes moths and butterflies, all undergo complete metamorphosis and most have mouthparts adapted for sucking nectar with a coiled proboscis. The corn earworm is a moth, so it belongs to Lepidoptera, and it follows the four life stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. The adult moth uses its sucking mouthparts to feed on nectar, which fits the description of complete metamorphosis plus sucking mouthparts. The other insects come from different orders and don’t match both features: the European hornet is a Hymenopteran with chewing mouthparts; the damselfly is an Odonatan with chewing mouthparts and incomplete metamorphosis; the field cricket is an Orthopteran with chewing mouthparts and incomplete metamorphosis. So the corn earworm best fits the description.