Nymph (biology)

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Leaf Hopper nymph of the Common Jassid (Eurymela fenestrata). Specimen approx 10mm in length. Taken in Swifts Creek, Victoria, Australia in January 2007.
A Henicopsaltria Eydouxii nymph moults to reveal the mature form of the cicada

In biology, a nymph is the immature 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. 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.

This is the case, for example, in Orthoptera (crickets and grasshoppers), Hemiptera (cicadas, shield bugs, etc.), mayflies, termites, cockroaches, mantids, and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). Some arachnids (e.g., mites and ticks) also have nymphs.[citation needed]

Nymphs of aquatic insects, as in the orders Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), Ephemeroptera (mayflies), and Plecoptera (stoneflies) are also called naiads, which is an Ancient Greek name for mythological water nymphs. In older literature, these were sometimes referred to as the heterometabolous insects, as their adult and immature stages live in different environments (terrestrial vs. aquatic).[citation needed]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nymphs (biology).
  • Egg (biology)
  • Naiads in Greek mythology

References

  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)
  2. ↑ Truman, James (1999). The origins of insect metamorphosis. Washington: Macmillan Magazines Ltd. p. 447. 



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