Dragonflies and damselflies undergo which type of metamorphosis?

Dragonflies and damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis, which is characterized by three key life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. In this process, the nymph, which develops in the water, resembles a miniature version of the adult but does not have fully developed wings. As the nymph matures, it undergoes several molts and gradually develops into the adult form, which emerges from the water.

The term "incomplete metamorphosis" is appropriate here as it highlights the direct progression from nymph to adult without significant changes in body structure in the earlier juvenile stages. Unlike complete metamorphosis seen in insects like butterflies and beetles, where larvae look completely different from adults, the nymphs of dragonflies and damselflies retain many characteristics of the adult form throughout their development, thereby illustrating the nature of incomplete metamorphosis.