Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

New Latin, from [[Latin]], image

New Latin, from [[Latin]], image

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1797]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1797]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1:  an [[insect]] in its final, adult, sexually [[mature]], and typically winged state

*1:  an [[insect]] in its final, adult, sexually [[mature]], and typically winged state

*2:  an [[idealized]] mental [[image]] of another person or the [[self]]

*2:  an [[idealized]] mental [[image]] of another person or the [[self]]

==Description==

==Description==

In [[biology]], the '''imago''' is the last [[stage]] an [[insect]] attains during its [[metamorphosis]], its process of [[growth]] and development; it also is called the imaginal stage, the stage in which the insect attains maturity. It follows the final [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysis ecdysis] of the immature [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instar instars].

In [[biology]], the '''imago''' is the last [[stage]] an [[insect]] attains during its [[metamorphosis]], its process of [[growth]] and development; it also is called the imaginal stage, the stage in which the insect attains maturity. It follows the final [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysis ecdysis] of the immature [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instar instars].

In a member of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apterygota Ametabola] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemimetabolism Hemimetabola], in which [[metamorphosis]] is "incomplete", the final ecdysis follows the last immature or nymphal stage. In members of the Holometabola, in which there is a [[pupal]] stage, the final ecdysis follows emergence from the pupa, after which the metamorphosis is complete, although there is a prolonged period of maturation in some [[species]].

In a member of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apterygota Ametabola] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemimetabolism Hemimetabola], in which [[metamorphosis]] is "incomplete", the final ecdysis follows the last immature or nymphal stage. In members of the Holometabola, in which there is a [[pupal]] stage, the final ecdysis follows emergence from the pupa, after which the metamorphosis is complete, although there is a prolonged period of maturation in some [[species]].

The ''imago'' is the only stage during which the [[insect]] is sexually [[mature]] and, if it is a winged species, has functional wings. The imago often is referred to as the adult stage.

The ''imago'' is the only stage during which the [[insect]] is sexually [[mature]] and, if it is a winged species, has functional wings. The imago often is referred to as the adult stage.

Members of the order [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayfly Ephemeroptera] (mayflies) do not have a pupal stage, but they briefly pass through an extra winged stage called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subimago subimago]. Insects at this stage have functional wings but are not yet sexually mature.

Members of the order [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayfly Ephemeroptera] (mayflies) do not have a pupal stage, but they briefly pass through an extra winged stage called the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subimago subimago]. Insects at this stage have functional wings but are not yet sexually mature.

The [[Latin]] plural of ''imago'' is imagines, and this is the term generally used by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomology entomologists] – however, imagoes is also acceptable.

The [[Latin]] plural of ''imago'' is imagines, and this is the term generally used by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomology entomologists] – however, imagoes is also acceptable.

[[Category: Biology]]

[[Category: Biology]]