What is the term for the process in which insects shed their old exoskeleton?

The term for the process in which insects shed their old exoskeleton is "molt." This process, also known scientifically as molting or ecdysis, is essential for insects as it allows them to grow. Since an insect's exoskeleton is rigid and cannot stretch, molting enables them to replace their old exoskeleton with a new, larger one. This process typically occurs several times throughout an insect's life cycle, particularly in the larval stages, as they prepare to transition to adulthood.

Understanding molting is crucial for anyone studying entomology or pest control, as it plays a significant role in the growth and development of insects. The other terms listed, while related to changes in an insect's life cycle or state, do not accurately describe the specific process of shedding the exoskeleton. "Transform" and "change" are too vague and do not convey the specific biological process involved, while "metamorphose" refers more generally to the transformation of an insect from one developmental stage to another, like going from a larva to a pupa or an adult.