a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis (as the dragonfly or mayfly) (classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden; "the ancient Greeks believed that nymphs inhabited forests and bodies of water"
A nymph is the larva, or young form, of an insect such as a dragonfly. In Greek mythology, any of a large class of minor female divinities. Nymphs were usually associated with features of the natural world, such as trees and water. Though not immortal, they were extremely long-lived, and they tended to be well disposed toward humans. They were grouped according to the sphere of nature with which they were connected. In entomology, the sexually immature form of insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis (e.g., grasshoppers). The nymph is similar to the adult but differs in body proportions and (in winged species) has only wing buds, which develop into wings after the first few molts (see molting). During each successive growing stage (instar), the nymph begins to resemble the adult more closely. The nymphs of aquatic species (also called naiads), such as dragonflies, have gills and other modifications for an aquatic existence. At maturity, they float to the surface or crawl out of the water, undergo a final molt, and emerge as winged adults
The immature stage of insect species which undergo incomplete metamorphisis (egg, nymph, adult) and do not have a pupal stage Late instar nymphs may have nonfunctional rudimentary wings and/or genitalia
(classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden; "the ancient Greeks believed that nymphs inhabited forests and bodies of water"
1 The immature form of an aquatic insect before it emerges from the water's surface 2 A wet fly that imitates one of these immature aquatic insects and is designed to be suspended just below the water's surface
An immature, wingless stage of insect that later develops to have wing pads or underdeveloped wings This is an insect stage that exists on in species that do not have a pupal stage