The changes involved in this biological process can be more or less radical, depending on the type of metamorphosis:

- Complex or complete metamorphosis (holometabolism). This occurs when the characteristics of the initial stages of the animal, for example, of the larva or its primary stages, are radically different from those of adult life. That is, when the animal completely and significantly changes its way of life, its anatomy and even its habitat of existence, after going through a stage of inactivity and profound transformation.

- Simple or incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolism). This occurs, on the contrary, when the changes that the young form of the animal goes through are not so radical, since its larval or young stage is not so different from its adult stage. Generally these stages are distinguished only by size, and the animal goes through different “moults” or partial changes, until reaching adulthood.

Both types of metamorphosis are controlled by a diverse set of hormones that induce various reactions and biochemical changes in the organism. This process is also usually related to the climatic and biological cycles of nature, so that they always occur at a certain time and under certain conditions.

Metamorphosis has captivated human attention since ancient times, leading to its explanation through the most diverse theories, and also becoming a metaphor for change, growth and the cycle of life itself, especially when it involves animals such as bees or butterflies, which have been very present in human culture since its beginnings.