paurometabola

Paurometabola is a mode of insect development characterized by gradual metamorphosis. Unlike hemimetabolous or holometabolous insects, paurometabolous insects hatch from the egg as a juvenile form called a nymph. These nymphs are morphologically similar to the adult form, differing primarily in size and the absence of fully developed wings and reproductive organs. As the nymph grows, it molts multiple times, with each successive instar becoming larger and more developed. Wings, if present in the adult, develop externally as wing buds that enlarge with each molt. The final molt produces a sexually mature adult. This type of development is common in many insect orders, including cockroaches, grasshoppers, true bugs, termites, and some beetles. The nymphs typically share the same habitat and food sources as the adults, reducing competition between life stages. This contrasts with holometabolous insects, which undergo complete metamorphosis with distinct larval and pupal stages, and hemimetabolous insects where nymphs may have different habitats or diets than adults. The term paurometabolous is derived from Greek words meaning "little change."