What is the name for the immature stage of an insect that resembles the adult but lacks wings and reproductive organs?

The term for the immature stage of an insect that resembles the adult but lacks wings and reproductive organs is nymph. Nymphs are commonly found in the life cycles of insects that undergo hemimetabolism, which is also known as incomplete metamorphosis. In this process, the insect progresses through several stages, each termed a nymph, resembling a smaller version of the adult form. As they progress through the instars, nymphs grow and develop until they reach maturity, at which point they will develop wings and reproductive organs.

In contrast, larvae generally look quite different from the adult form, often appearing as caterpillars or maggots, and undergo significant transformations during the pupal stage. The pupa is a transitional life stage during complete metamorphosis when the insect undergoes drastic changes, forming a completely different body structure. The egg is the initial life stage in an insect’s development and does not resemble the adult at all. Understanding these distinctions is essential for identifying different life stages in insects.