What describes the life cycle of imported fire ants?

The life cycle of imported fire ants is best described as having a holometabolous complete life cycle. This means that these insects go through a series of distinct developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. In this type of life cycle, each stage has unique characteristics and forms, allowing for significant changes from one stage to the next.

During the egg stage, fire ants begin their life as tiny eggs laid by the queen. Once the eggs hatch, they enter the larval stage, during which they are cared for by worker ants and undergo growth. The subsequent pupal stage involves significant transformation inside a protective casing, where the larva develops into an adult ant. Finally, the adult stage encompasses various roles within the colony, including workers and queens, contributing to colony dynamics and reproductive processes.

This description accurately reflects the complexity and structure of fire ants' development, showcasing their adaptation and specialization within their environment. In contrast, other options do not align with the biology of imported fire ants, either misrepresenting their development or oversimplifying their lifecycle stages.