What are the characteristics of nymphs?

• A. Resemble adults but smaller; wings not fully developed; feed on same food as adults; grow by molting.
• B. Resemble adults but larger; wings fully developed.
• C. Have fully developed wings; feed on different hosts.
• D. Do not molt.

Answer: (A)

Nymphs are the immature stage of insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis. They resemble adults in general body plan but are smaller, and their wings are not fully developed yet. They typically feed on the same foods as adults because they occupy the same habitats and have similar mouthparts. Growth happens through molts; with each molt they become more like the adult until the final molt produces the fully mature form. This contrasts with insects that have complete metamorphosis, where the immature stage looks very different and includes a pupal stage. The idea of fully developed wings in the immature stage or not molting would not fit incomplete metamorphosis.