Insect development consisting of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

Insect development consisting of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

• A. Complete metamorphosis
• B. Direct development
• C. Metamorphosis
• D. Incomplete metamorphosis

Answer: (D)

The pattern described—egg, nymph, and adult—signals incomplete metamorphosis. Here, the young (nymphs) resemble the adults in form and usually size, but they molt several times to reach full maturity, and there’s no pupal stage. In contrast, complete metamorphosis has four distinct life stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult) with larvae that look very different from the adults, like caterpillars versus butterflies. The broad term metamorphosis covers both patterns, but the three-stage sequence specifically matches incomplete metamorphosis.

The pattern described—egg, nymph, and adult—signals incomplete metamorphosis. Here, the young (nymphs) resemble the adults in form and usually size, but they molt several times to reach full maturity, and there’s no pupal stage. In contrast, complete metamorphosis has four distinct life stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult) with larvae that look very different from the adults, like caterpillars versus butterflies. The broad term metamorphosis covers both patterns, but the three-stage sequence specifically matches incomplete metamorphosis.