What developmental stage immediately follows the egg stage in incomplete metamorphosis?

In insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, the developmental stage that directly follows the egg stage is known as the nymph. In this life cycle, the egg hatches into a nymph, which resembles a smaller version of the adult but lacks fully developed wings and reproductive structures. The nymph continues to grow and molt through several instars, gradually maturing into an adult. This type of metamorphosis is distinct from complete metamorphosis, where the larva stage would come after hatching from the egg and is fundamentally different in appearance and behavior from the adult stage.

The presence of to several instar stages in nymphs allows for continuous growth, and they typically inhabit similar environments as the adults. This progression is vital for the insect's development and reproduction, leading smoothly from one stage to the next without a distinct pupal phase, which is a hallmark of complete metamorphosis.