In the insect lifecycle, what stage follows the egg?

In the lifecycle of insects, the stage that follows the egg is the nymph stage specifically for hemimetabolous insects, which undergo gradual metamorphosis. In this lifecycle, after the eggs hatch, the nymphs emerge, resembling smaller versions of the adult but lacking fully developed wings and reproductive structures. This stage allows them to grow and develop through successive molts, gradually maturing into the adult form.

The other stages mentioned, such as the larval stage, are relevant in the context of holometabolous insects, which undergo complete metamorphosis. In these insects, the larvae emerge after the egg stage but are distinct from nymphs and undergo a different development pathway leading to the pupal and then adult stages. The pupal stage specifically refers to the transitional phase that occurs after the larval stage in holometabolous insects. The adult stage represents the final phase of the lifecycle following either nymph or larval development, depending on the type of metamorphosis the insect undergoes.