Which of the following is NOT a stage in complete metamorphosis?

Which of the following is NOT a stage in complete metamorphosis?

• A. Nymph
• B. Egg
• C. Larva
• D. Pupa

Answer: (A)

In complete metamorphosis there are four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva and adult look very different, and development includes a pupal stage where major transformation occurs. A nymph, on the other hand, is a juvenile form found in incomplete metamorphosis, where there is no pupal stage and the young resemble the adult. So the stage not used in complete metamorphosis is the nymph. For contrast, a butterfly example goes egg -> larva -> pupa -> adult, while insects with incomplete metamorphosis produce nymphs that gradually molt into adults without a pupal stage.

In complete metamorphosis there are four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva and adult look very different, and development includes a pupal stage where major transformation occurs. A nymph, on the other hand, is a juvenile form found in incomplete metamorphosis, where there is no pupal stage and the young resemble the adult. So the stage not used in complete metamorphosis is the nymph. For contrast, a butterfly example goes egg -> larva -> pupa -> adult, while insects with incomplete metamorphosis produce nymphs that gradually molt into adults without a pupal stage.