Incomplete metamorphosis

Incomplete metamorphosis is a type of metamorphosis in which an insect hatches from an egg and then goes through several nymphal stages. Each nymphal stage looks like a small version of the adult but getting slightly bigger with age. At the final nymphal stage the insect then moults into the adult form. The adult form is often only distinguishable from the nymph by size and the presence of wings.

A photograph of a first instar assassin bug Triatoma infestans.
Photograph by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Federal Government.

Other names for (or types of) Incomplete metamorphosis include:

• Hemimetabalous

Related terms

• Complete metamorphosis
• Exopterygota
• Instar
• Juvenile hormone
• Larva
• Life stage
• Metamorphosis
• Teneral
• Wing bud

Related groups of terms

• Insect life cycles

Related pages on this web site

• Exopterygota
• Insect life cycles

See other words beginning with I