Pest Control Technician Practice Exam 2025 - Free Pest Control Practice Questions and Study Guide

The developmental process that consists of three distinct stages—egg, nymph, and adult—is known as incomplete metamorphosis. In this type of metamorphosis, the organism develops through a series of life stages, starting from an egg that hatches into a nymph. The nymph resembles a smaller version of the adult but typically lacks fully developed wings and reproductive organs. As the nymph matures, it undergoes several molts to reach its adult form, in which it becomes capable of reproduction and may develop wings.

Incomplete metamorphosis is characteristic of certain insect orders, including Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) and Hemiptera (true bugs). This developmental process is notable for the gradual transformation from nymph to adult, contrasting with complete metamorphosis, which involves a pupal stage. Understanding how insects develop through these stages can aid pest control technicians in identifying and managing various pest species effectively.