Which term describes nymphs that develop in aquatic environments until they reach adulthood?

The term "naiad" specifically refers to the aquatic nymphs of certain insects, particularly those that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, such as mayflies, dragonflies, and damselflies. Unlike other developmental stages, naiads are adapted to life in water and typically have gills for respiration, which allow them to thrive in aquatic habitats while growing and developing.

In contrast, "fry" is generally used to describe the early life stage of fish, "larva" refers broadly to a juvenile stage in various organisms that undergo complete metamorphosis (like butterflies and beetles), and "juvenile" is a more general term that can refer to young organisms of many kinds, regardless of their specific developmental stages or habitats. Understanding these distinctions clarifies that naiads are the appropriate term for aquatic nymphs transitioning to adulthood in specific insect life cycles.