What mechanism do insects utilize for changing their exoskeleton?

Insects undergo a process known as molting to change their exoskeleton. This process is crucial for their growth, as their hard outer shell does not expand. During molting, the insect produces new cuticle material underneath the old exoskeleton. Once the new cuticle is ready, the insect will shed the old exoskeleton, allowing it to emerge with a larger, often softer exoskeleton that will harden over time.

Molt is a well-established term in entomology that specifically refers to this shedding process. It is a complex biological event that involves several hormonal and physical changes within the insect. The term encapsulates the entire transitional phase, from the production of new materials to the detachment and removal of the old exoskeleton, making it the precise term for this phenomenon in insects.