What type of metamorphosis do insects undergo in which there are three stages?

The correct answer identifies a form of metamorphosis characterized by three distinct life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. This process starts with an egg hatching into a nymph, which resembles a smaller version of the adult but lacks wings and reproductive organs. As the nymph matures, it goes through a series of molts, gradually developing into an adult. This type of metamorphosis is common among many insect groups, such as grasshoppers and cockroaches.

Complete metamorphosis, on the other hand, involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Insects undergoing this transformation experience a significant change in body structure and appearance from one stage to another. Gradual metamorphosis isn't typically classified as a standard term in entomology; the more accurate terminology for insects with three stages is indeed incomplete metamorphosis. The term "dual metamorphosis" is not recognized in entomological taxonomy and therefore does not apply to any specific insect life cycle.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the life cycle patterns of various insects and their developmental processes in relation to IPM practices.