What is the term for the process of shedding the outer skin in insects?

The term for the process of shedding the outer skin in insects is known as moulting. This biological process allows insects to grow by periodically shedding their exoskeleton, which is rigid and does not expand as the insect grows. During moulting, the insect typically secretes a new exoskeleton underneath the old one, which is later shed, allowing for growth and the possibility of a new or larger form.

Moulting is essential for insects as it enables them to increase in size and to undergo developmental changes, such as progressing from a larval stage to a mature form. This process is particularly significant in insects due to their exoskeletal structure, which protects them but also limits their growth.

Other terms like metamorphosis refer to broader transformation processes that can include moulting as one aspect of the life cycle, but they encompass a series of changes that can involve different developmental stages. Meanwhile, fission and transformation do not accurately describe the specific action of shedding exoskeletons in insects. Thus, moulting is the precise term that captures this essential developmental process among insects.