New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Pesticide Practice Exam

The term that describes a life cycle where there are no distinct larval stages is known as incomplete metamorphosis. In this type of life cycle, organisms develop through gradual changes without a distinct larval stage. Instead, they hatch from eggs into nymphs, which resemble smaller versions of the adult but may lack certain features, such as wings. As nymphs mature, they undergo a series of molts, growing progressively until they reach the adult form.

In contrast, complete metamorphosis features distinct stages including larval, pupal, and adult forms, where the organism undergoes significant transformations. Gradual metamorphosis would typically imply a similar process as incomplete, but it's less formally defined in entomology. Instant metamorphosis is not recognized as a valid term in this context and doesn't describe any known life cycle in insects. Thus, incomplete metamorphosis specifically captures the concept of a life cycle that lacks distinct larval stages.