What are the stages of gradual metamorphosis?

The stages of gradual metamorphosis are characterized by a direct developmental progression from one life stage to another without a distinct pupal stage. In this process, the life cycle begins with an egg, which hatches into a nymph. The nymph resembles a miniature version of the adult but typically lacks fully developed wings and reproductive organs. As the nymph grows, it undergoes a series of molts, gradually developing into the adult stage, which features fully formed wings and is capable of reproduction.

This progression emphasizes how nymphs gradually increase in size and develop the characteristics of adults through successive molts, rather than transitioning through a distinct pupal phase as seen in complete metamorphosis. Recognizing this distinction is critical for understanding the life cycles of insects that undergo gradual metamorphosis, such as grasshoppers and cockroaches.