Utah Structural and Health Related Pest Practice

Insects undergo complete metamorphosis, which is characterized by a distinct series of life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The life stages involved in this process include:

1. **Egg**: This is the initial stage where the insect begins its life cycle, typically protected within a shell or casing.

2. **Larva**: Following the egg stage, the larva emerges and often looks completely different from the adult. This stage is primarily focused on growth and feeding.

3. **Pupa**: The pupa stage is a transformative phase, during which the larva undergoes significant changes to become an adult insect. This stage may be encased in a cocoon or chrysalis, depending on the species.

The nymph, however, is not a part of the complete metamorphosis process. Instead, nymphs are developmental stages found in insects that exhibit incomplete metamorphosis. In incomplete metamorphosis, the life stages consist of egg, nymph, and adult, with the nymph typically resembling a smaller version of the adult, lacking certain features such as fully developed wings in the early stages.

Therefore, the nymph is the correct answer, as it is characteristic of incomplete metamorph