adult insect; imago
Entomological term for the final, fully developed stage of an insect after metamorphosis. Contrasts with 幼虫 (larva) and 蛹 (pupa).
幼虫がさなぎになり、やがて成虫になった。
The larva became a pupa and eventually turned into an adult insect.
成虫の寿命は種類によって大きく異なる。
The lifespan of an adult insect varies greatly depending on the species.
幼虫 refers to the immature larval stage of an insect, while 成虫 refers to the fully developed adult insect.
Standard kanji spelling for the adult stage of an insect.
Compound of 成 (sei, 'become, mature') and 虫 (chū, 'insect'), literally 'mature insect'.