Inbiology, the imago (Latin for "image") is the last stage an insect attains during its metamorphosis, its process of growth and development; it is also called the imaginal stage ("imaginal" being "imago" in adjective form), the stage in which the insect attains maturity. It follows the final ecdysis of the immature instars.[1]
Last molting of a cicada giving rise to the winged imago
In a member of the AmetabolaorHemimetabola, species 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.[2]
The imago is the only stage during which the insect is sexually mature and, if it is a winged species, the only stage that has functional wings. The imago often is referred to as the adult stage.[1]
Members of the order Ephemeroptera (mayflies) do not have a pupal stage, but they briefly pass through an intermediate winged stage called the subimago. Insects at this stage have functional wings but are not yet sexually mature.[1]
The Latin plural of imagoisimagines, and this is the term generally used by entomologists when a plural form is required –
however, imagoes is also acceptable.[3]
^Richards, O. W.; Davies, R. G. (1977). Imms' General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 1: Structure, Physiology and Development Volume 2: Classification and Biology. Berlin: Springer. ISBN0-412-61390-5.
^Gordh, Gordon; Headrick, David H. A Dictionary of Entomology. Publisher: CABI 2010. ISBN978-1845935429