Which type of metamorphosis is observed in grasshoppers?

Grasshoppers undergo gradual metamorphosis, which is characterized by three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult. In this process, the nymphs look somewhat like miniature adults and do not have wings. As they molt through several stages, they gradually develop into adults. This type of metamorphosis allows for a relatively smooth transition from one life stage to another without the drastic changes seen in complete metamorphosis.

In contrast, complete metamorphosis involves four distinct life stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This is not applicable to grasshoppers as they lack the pupal stage. Incomplete metamorphosis, while similar to gradual metamorphosis in some aspects, typically involves a more pronounced transformation from nymph to adult, which grasshoppers do not demonstrate in the same way as insects like mayflies. Paedogenesis refers to a form of reproduction in which larvae develop into adults while still retaining juvenile features, which does not fit the developmental pattern of grasshoppers. Therefore, the correct classification for grasshopper development is indeed gradual metamorphosis.