Which stage in incomplete metamorphosis resembles the adult form?

The nymph stage in incomplete metamorphosis closely resembles the adult form of the insect. During this stage, the nymph usually has a similar body shape, and many of the key features of the adult, although it is not fully developed and may lack wings or reproductive organs. This is a critical stage for growth, where the nymph will molt several times, gradually taking on more adult characteristics until it reaches maturity.

In contrast, the other stages, such as the egg, pupa, and larva, represent different forms of development that do not resemble the adult insect. The egg is a non-active life stage focused on the initial growth inside, while the pupa stage is a transitional phase where the organism reorganizes and is often encased, making it quite different in appearance from the adult. The larva is typically a feeding stage, usually having a very different morphology compared to the adult form, such as being soft-bodied and non-reproductive. Understanding these distinctions is key to grasping the life cycle of insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis.