Why do insects molt instead of growing continuously?
Quick Answer
Insects have hard exoskeletons that do not expand much, so they must shed them to grow. Molting lets them replace the old shell with a larger one.
The Full Story
Insects grow differently from vertebrates because their outer skeleton is rigid. Their exoskeleton protects them well but cannot stretch enough for continuous growth, so they must molt periodically. During molting, the old cuticle is shed and a new, larger one expands before hardening. Hormones control when this happens and coordinate the transition. Molting is essential to insect life cycles and is one reason insects pass through distinct stages such as larva, pupa, and adult in many species.
Key Facts
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"Why insects have to outgrow and ditch their own armor"
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