Day 376: 5 Minute Freewrite Challenge initiated by 
Praying Mantis
Most insects go through four stages in their lives. For example, butterflies lay eggs that hatch small caterpillars which is the larva stage. The caterpillars grow and then wrap themselves into a cocoon, and this is where metamorphose takes place. This is the pupa stage. Finally, it emerges from the cocoon as an adult butterfly. Egg to larva to pupa to adult.
However there are exceptions to this rule for a few and the Praying Mantis is one of them. When the eggs hatch, the babies emerge looking like tiny versions of the adults. No pupa stage is needed, so they only go through three stages in their lives. Egg to larva to adult.
Baby Praying Mantis
Adult Praying Mantis
Image Source: All photos are my own.