Nymph (biology)

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Schistocerca gregaria
nymphs beside an adult

In

metamorphosis (hemimetabolism) before reaching its adult stage.[1] Unlike a typical larva, a nymph's overall form already resembles that of the adult, except for a lack of wings (in winged species) and the emergence of genitalia. In addition, while a nymph moults, it never enters a pupal stage. Instead, the final moult results in an adult insect.[2] Nymphs undergo multiple stages of development called instars
.

Species with nymph stages

Many species of

stoneflies and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies).[3]

Nymphs of

heterometabolous insects, as their adult and immature stages live in different environments (terrestrial vs. aquatic).[6]

Second Egg Hypothesis

In 1628, English physician William Harvey published An Anatomical Disquisition on the Motion of the Heart and Blood in Animals. In his writing, Harvey hypothesized that the pupal stage in insects was the result of imperfect eggs.[2] While some eggs produced smaller versions of fully-matured insects known as nymphs, others created intermediate forms. Thus, these intermediate forms must go through a second egg stage to reach their adult form. This hypothesis attempts to explain the developmental differences between hemimetabolous and holometabolous metamorphosis. Though there is little evidence supporting Harvey's hypothesis, it is still significant to modern research in nymphs.[how?]

Relationship with humans

The 'Pheasant Tail Nymph' attracts trout by imitating a brown aquatic insect larva.

In fly fishing with artificial flies, this stage of aquatic insects is the basis for an entire series of representative patterns for trout.[7] They account for over half of the fishing fly patterns regularly used in the United States.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-1-4020-6242-1
    (Print) 978-1-4020-6359-6 (Online)
  2. ^
    S2CID 4327078. Archived from the original
    on 2014-01-31.
  3. ^ Britton, David (9 July 2009). "Metamorphosis: a remarkable change". Australian Museum. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  4. S2CID 83922500
    .
  5. S2CID 87053533
    .
  6. ^ Tutt, J. W. (1897). "The Nature of Metamorphosis". Proceedings of the South London Entomological & Natural History Society: 20–27. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  7. ^ Austin, Matthew (2004). "Nymph patterns of flies". San Diego: theflystop.com.

External links

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