What are the stages of incomplete metamorphosis?

The stages of incomplete metamorphosis are accurately described by egg, nymph, and adult. This process is characterized by the absence of a pupal stage, which is a key distinction from complete metamorphosis. Insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, such as grasshoppers and cockroaches, hatch from eggs into nymphs, which resemble smaller versions of the adult form. These nymphs gradually develop into adults through a series of molts, each time becoming larger and more similar to the final adult stage.

The absence of a pupa stage in this process means that nymphs continue to grow and develop directly into adult forms without undergoing the transformative pupal phase seen in insects that experience complete metamorphosis. Understanding this distinction is crucial for recognizing the life cycles of various insect species and their development processes.