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What does incomplete development in insects or simple metamorphosis refer to?

  1. Egg, larva, adult

  2. Caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly

  3. Egg, nymph, adult

  4. Resting stage, pupation, emergence

The correct answer is: Egg, nymph, adult

Incomplete development in insects, also known as simple metamorphosis, involves a life cycle characterized by three distinct stages: egg, nymph, and adult. In this process, insects hatch from eggs into nymphs, which resemble smaller versions of the adult without undergoing a dramatic transformation such as the complete metamorphosis seen in caterpillars transforming into butterflies. Nymphs continue to grow and develop into adults, typically undergoing a series of molts as they mature. This gradual transition allows for the insect to adapt to its environment throughout its development. The other choices represent different life cycle stages or types of metamorphosis, such as complete metamorphosis with a pupal stage, which is not applicable in the context of simple metamorphosis. Thus, the correct answer reflects the accurate definition of incomplete development in insects.