An insect widely cited as having both nymphs and adults is the European spruce gall adelgid.

An insect widely cited as having both nymphs and adults is the European spruce gall adelgid.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It has only one life stage
• D. It's not an insect

Answer: (A)

Insects like the European spruce gall adelgid show incomplete metamorphosis, meaning they go from eggs to immature nymphs and then to adults, without a pupal stage. The immature forms are called nymphs, and as they mature they become adults. This species, though small and sap-sucking, follows that pattern and can have both winged and wingless adults across generations, with nymphal instars feeding on spruce and contributing to gall formation. Because there are distinct nymphal stages and adult stages, it’s accurate to say it has both.

Insects like the European spruce gall adelgid show incomplete metamorphosis, meaning they go from eggs to immature nymphs and then to adults, without a pupal stage. The immature forms are called nymphs, and as they mature they become adults. This species, though small and sap-sucking, follows that pattern and can have both winged and wingless adults across generations, with nymphal instars feeding on spruce and contributing to gall formation. Because there are distinct nymphal stages and adult stages, it’s accurate to say it has both.