noun
- the developmental stages of an insect or arthropod between molts
Usage: entomology
Examples
- The caterpillar goes through five instars before pupating.
- Each instar is characterized by a larger body size after molting.
- Researchers studied the growth patterns across different instars.
- The first instar larvae are barely visible to the naked eye.
- Temperature affects the duration of each instar stage.
- The final instar before metamorphosis shows distinct wing buds.