Some winged insects, such as grasshoppers and the praying mantis, develop through a process known as simple (or incomplete) metamorphosis. This is a 3 stage process: egg to nymph to adult. The nymphs look like small adults but with underdeveloped wings. As the insect molts, it slowly grows into a winged adult. Image: © ODWS www.saburchill.com Other winged insects, such as dragonflies, develop through a slightly different 3 stage process (egg to nymph to adult) where the nymph stage takes place underwater. Another difference is the winged adult does not emerge until the nymph leaves the water and undergoes its final molt. Image: utahbugclub.org |