What is the developmental process characterized by egg, nymph, and adult stages called?

The developmental process characterized by egg, nymph, and adult stages is referred to as incomplete metamorphosis. In this type of metamorphosis, insects start their life as eggs, hatch into nymphs, and then develop into adults. Nymphs generally resemble smaller versions of the adult and go through several molts as they mature, gradually attaining adult features over time.

This stage-specific development is characteristic of many insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets, and cockroaches, where there is no distinct pupal stage between the nymph and adult form. The gradual change from nymph to adult involves incremental growth rather than a complete transformation seen in complete metamorphosis, where there would be distinct larval and pupal stages before reaching the adult form.

Understanding this developmental process is essential for identifying pest species and managing their life cycles effectively in pest control practices.