Which stage of development comes after larva in complete metamorphosis?

In the context of complete metamorphosis, the stage that follows the larval stage is indeed the pupa. This process occurs in insects such as butterflies, beetles, and flies, where the life cycle includes four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

During the pupal stage, the larva undergoes significant transformation within a protective casing. This stage is crucial as it allows for the reorganization of tissues and development of adult characteristics, which are fundamentally different from those of the larval stage. Once the transformation is complete, the adult insect emerges from the pupa, ready to engage in reproduction and continue the life cycle.

The other stages mentioned do not come after the larval stage in complete metamorphosis. The nymph stage, for example, is characteristic of incomplete metamorphosis, where the organism gradually develops into an adult without a pupal stage. The egg stage occurs at the very start of the life cycle, prior to the larva. Therefore, the pupa is correctly identified as the stage that comes after larva in complete metamorphosis.