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

The main difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis lies in the number of developmental stages that insects undergo during their life cycles. Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis experience four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This transformation allows for significant changes in form and function between each stage, particularly between the larval and adult stages.

On the other hand, incomplete metamorphosis consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. In this type of development, the nymphs resemble smaller versions of the adult and gradually mature into their final form without a distinct pupal stage. This difference in the number of stages fundamentally impacts the insect's development and life cycle, influencing factors like growth, feeding habits, and ecological roles.

While the other options may relate to aspects of insect life cycles, they do not directly address the core difference in developmental stages. For instance, the type of nymphs produced is specific to incomplete metamorphosis and does not highlight the key difference, while habitat preferences and life cycle duration are variables that can vary independently of the metamorphosis type.