Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Stages of Incomplete Metamorphosis

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Incomplete metamorphosis is the gradual development of an insect into its adult stage. It is characterized by the absence of the pupal stage which exists in complete metamorphosis. Complete metamorphosis, such as what a butterfly goes through, involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Incomplete metamorphosis varies in that it only involves three stages: egg, nymph and adult.

Egg

The first stage of incomplete metamorphosis is the egg stage. The female insect lays the eggs. The eggs are sometimes contained in an egg case that keeps them together and protected. The earliest development happens during this stage; the insect takes form and will usually develop everything except the wings. The gestation period for the eggs varies greatly depending on the variety of insect.

Nymph

When the eggs hatch, the nymphs emerge. Nymphs look like small adult insects but they are lacking wings, and organs may still be underdeveloped. Nymphs will eat the same diet as their adult versions. As they grow and developt they will go through periods of molting, where they shed their exterior skeletons and grow new ones. Nymphs generally molt four to eight times in their growth cycle.

  • The first stage of incomplete metamorphosis is the egg stage.
  • The earliest development happens during this stage; the insect takes form and will usually develop everything except the wings.

Adult

Once nymphs have reached their full development in terms of size, they will stop the molting process. At this stage they are now fully formed adult insects. During their molting process, insects that have wings will have also grown wings. The length of life of an adult insect varies by species.

Types of Insects

Complete metamorphosis is the more common form of metamorphosis for insects; only about 12 percent of insects go through incomplete metamorphosis. These include head lice, stinkbugs, earwigs, crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, true bugs, dragonflies, cicada, ants and praying mantids.

Related Articles

Reproductive System of Lady Bugs
Reproductive System of Lady Bugs
Backswimmer Life Cycle
Backswimmer Life Cycle
Do Aphids Bite?
Do Aphids Bite?
Stages of Growth for the Venus Flytrap
Stages of Growth for the Venus Flytrap
How Do Grasshoppers Communicate?
How Do Grasshoppers Communicate?
Caterpillars on Sunflowers
Caterpillars on Sunflowers
Classification of Spiders
Classification of Spiders
Plant Lice
Plant Lice
The Life Cycle of a Pitcher Plant
The Life Cycle of a Pitcher Plant
Sundew Facts
Sundew Facts
A List of Insects That Destroy Crops
A List of Insects That Destroy Crops
Green Worms on Rose Bushes
Green Worms on Rose Bushes
Is a Venus Flytrap an Autotroph or Heterotroph?
Is a Venus Flytrap an Autotroph or Heterotroph?
Life Cycle of a Heterosporous Plant
Life Cycle of a Heterosporous Plant
Do Plant Cells Have Cilia?
Do Plant Cells Have Cilia?
Which Organisms Are Characterized As Decomposers?
Which Organisms Are Characterized As Decomposers?
Garden Guides
×