Gradual metamorphosis consists of how many stages?

Gradual metamorphosis, also known as incomplete metamorphosis, consists of three distinct stages: the egg, the nymph, and the adult. In this process, the insect begins its life as an egg, which hatches into a nymph. The nymph resembles a smaller version of the adult but lacks fully developed wings and reproductive structures. As the nymph grows, it undergoes a series of molts, gradually transforming into an adult. This three-stage process is a key characteristic of insects such as grasshoppers and cockroaches, distinguishing it from complete metamorphosis, which involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.