Ecdysus

Ecdysis is the biological process by which insects and other arthropods shed their old outer skin, called the exoskeleton, to allow for growth and development. Since their exoskeletons don't stretch, they need to periodically break free of this rigid outer layer to accommodate a larger body. This process involves the insect secreting enzymes to soften the old exoskeleton, then gradually crawling out of it, often in stages. Ecdysis is tightly controlled by hormones and is vital for their progression through life stages like molting, enabling growth beyond the size limitations imposed by the initial exoskeleton.