Incomplete Metamorphosis Has Three Stages: Egg, Nymph, and Adult
Insects that go through three stages of change in their life cycle have an incomplete metamorphosis while complete metamorphosis has four stages.
The first stage of incomplete metamorphosis is the egg. During this time, the insect will hatch into a form called a nymph.
The nymph is basically a small version of the adult insect. This is very similar to how a child looks like his or her parents. Nymphs usually have a thin exoskeleton and no wings. They eat the same food as their parents and live in the same place. As insect nymphs grow larger, their exoskeleton becomes too tight and they must replace it.
Once a nymph outgrows its exoskeleton it will go through a process called molting, in which it leaves the old “skin” or exoskeleton behind. The new “skin” will harden and become the new exoskeleton. This will happen many times until the insect finally becomes the size of an adult.
Insects that have an incomplete metamorphosis life cycle include true bugs, grasshoppers, cockroaches, termites, praying mantises, crickets, and lice.
Read more about: Metamorphosis – Nature’s Ultimate Transformer
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Incomplete Metamorphosis
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 29 Apr, 2011
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/incomplete-metamorphosis
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Fri, 04/29/2011 - 10:09). Incomplete Metamorphosis. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/incomplete-metamorphosis
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "Incomplete Metamorphosis". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 29 Apr 2011. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/incomplete-metamorphosis
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Incomplete Metamorphosis". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 29 Apr 2011. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/incomplete-metamorphosis
Cockroaches go through incomplete metamorphosis, where the young look like miniature versions of the adults.
Be Part of
Ask A Biologist
By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.