Nymph (biology)

In biology, a nymph (from Ancient Greek νύμφα nūmphē meaning "bride") is the juvenile form of some invertebrates, particularly insects, which undergoes gradual metamorphosis (hemimetabolism) before reaching its adult stage.^[1] Unlike a typical larva, a nymph's overall form already resembles that of the adult, except for a lack of wings (in winged species) and the emergence of genitalia. In addition, while a nymph moults, it never enters a pupal stage. Instead, the final moult results in an adult insect.^[2] Nymphs undergo multiple stages of development called instars.

^ Encyclopedia of Entomology Ed. John L. Capinera. Dordrecht, London, Springer. 2008, 2nd Ed. ISBN 978-1-4020-6242-1 (Print) 978-1-4020-6359-6 (Online)
^ Truman, James (1999). "The origins of insect metamorphosis". Nature. 401 (6752): 447–52. Bibcode:1999Natur.401..447T. doi:10.1038/46737. PMID 10519548. S2CID 4327078. Archived from the original on 2014-01-31.

[1] Encyclopedia of Entomology Ed. John L. Capinera. Dordrecht, London, Springer. 2008, 2nd Ed. ISBN 978-1-4020-6242-1 (Print) 978-1-4020-6359-6 (Online)

[:0-2] Truman, James (1999). "The origins of insect metamorphosis". Nature. 401 (6752): 447–52. Bibcode:1999Natur.401..447T. doi:10.1038/46737. PMID 10519548. S2CID 4327078. Archived from the original on 2014-01-31.

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