Naiads are found in what stage of metamorphosis?

Naiads are a life stage of certain aquatic insects, particularly those that undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Incomplete metamorphosis involves three main stages: egg, nymph (naiad), and adult. During the nymph stage, which encompasses naiads, insects undergo gradual changes as they develop towards adulthood, often living in or near water and resembling smaller versions of the adult form.

This gradual development contrasts with complete metamorphosis, which includes four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Naiads do not fit into this category since they do not have a pupal stage; they develop directly into adults from the nymphal stage.

Understanding the life cycle helps identify the correct answer, as naiads are specifically associated with the nymph stage of insects that experience incomplete metamorphosis. Thus, recognizing naiads as part of the incomplete metamorphic process is crucial to answering the question accurately.