NYMPHS
The offspring of insects that do not go through complete metamorphosis, developing instead through a series of stages called “instars”, are referred to as nymphs.
The nymphs often resemble the adult without wings, although colour and shape may be slightly different; some are miniature versions and others are entirely different in early instars gradually developing adult characteristics with each new stage.
The gradual maturing into an adult involves the insect shedding its exoskeleton to accommodate its growing body. Depending on the species this may involve anything from 5 to 60 moults. Once the insect has reached the adult stage it does not grown any more.
The most obvious group having nymphal stages (incomplete metamorphosis) is the true bugs, but other species include thrips. silverfish, stick insects, termites, praying mantids, grasshoppers, damselflies, dragonflies, cockroaches and earwigs.
Aphid
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Aphids/2-adult-gallery.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Aphids/6-nymphs-gallery.jpg)
Nymphs
Assassin bug
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Assassin-bug/1-adult-gallery-1.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Assassin-bug/8-nymph-resized.jpg)
Nymph
Bronze orange bug
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Bronze-Orange-Bug/1-adult-gallery.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Bronze-Orange-Bug/6-gallery.jpg)
Nymph
Cottony cushion scale
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Cottony-Cushion-Scale/2-adult-gallery.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Cottony-Cushion-Scale/3-nymphs-gallery.jpg)
Nymphs
Dragonfly
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/4/dragonfly/2-adult-resized.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/4/dragonfly/5-larvae.jpg)
Nymph
Green vegetable bug
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Green-Vegetable-Bug/1-adult.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Green-Vegetable-Bug/10-nymph.jpg)
Nymph
Leaf-footed bug
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Leaf-Footed-Bug/1-adult-gallery.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/True-Bugs/Leaf-Footed-Bug/3-nymphs-gallery.jpg)
Nymphs
Praying mantis
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/4/praying-mantis/3-adult-gallery.jpg)
Adult
![](https://insectsandorganicgardening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Insect-database/4/praying-mantis/9-nymp-gallery.jpg)
Nymph