nymph
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AI overview
A nymph is the immature form of certain insects and other invertebrates that gradually changes into its adult form through molting rather than undergoing a dramatic transformation. Understanding nymphs matters because they make up a significant part of an organism's life cycle and help us recognize and study these creatures at different life stages.
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Article
Two Schistocerca gregaria nymphs beside an adult In biology, a nymph (from Ancient Greek νύμφα nūmphē meaning "bride") is the juvenile form of some invertebrates, particularly insects, which undergoes gradual metamorphosis (hemimetabolism) before reaching its adult stage. Unlike a typical larva, a nymph's overall form already resembles that of the adult, except for a lack of wings (in winged species) and the emergence of genitalia. In addition, while a nymph moults, it never enters a pupal stage. Instead, the final moult results in an adult insect. Nymphs undergo multiple stages of development called instars.
Taxa with nymph stages