Which evolutionary trade-off arises when insect imaginal discs require increased nutrient allocation?

💡 Explanation

During metamorphosis, limited resources must be allocated among growth, maintenance, and development; increased nutrient allocation to rapidly developing imaginal discs lowers resources for general somatic growth, reducing the larval growth rate. Therefore larval growth deceleration occurs, rather than enhanced predator avoidance, pathogen resistance, or broader stress tolerance, which are energy-intensive investments themselves.

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