Hemimetabolism or hemimetaboly, also called incomplete metamorphism, is a term used to describe the mode of development of certain insects that includes three distinct stages: the egg, nymph, and the adult stage, or imago. These groups go through gradual changes; there is no pupal stage. The nymph often resemble the adult somewhat, as they have compound eyes, developed legs and wing stubs visible on the outside.

Examples of hemimetabolous insects

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• Hemiptera (scale insects, aphids, whitefly, cicadas, leafhoppers and true bugs)
• Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets)
• Mantodea (praying mantids)
• Blattaria (cockroaches)
• Dermaptera (earwigs)
• Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies).

Previously used nomenclature

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Hemimetabolous insects used to be further divided into two categories: paurometaboly and heterometaboly. In paurometabolous insects, the nymph and the adult would live in the same environment (water, air, soil, etc.). This is the case of the Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) and some Hemiptera (true bugs) are examples of this. The nymph and adult of heterometabolous insects live in different environments. For example, Odonata naiad live in the water and cicada nymph underground, whereas the adults are aerial.

See also

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• Holometabolism
• Ametabolism
• Metamorphosis

Developmental biology

Hemimetabolismo | בעלי גלגול חסר | Onvolledige gedaanteverwisseling | Hemimetabole insekter