Insects go through one of two types of metamorphosis: a complete or incomplete metamorphosis. The incomplete metamorphosis differs from an complete metamorphosis in that it has 3 stages of development : egg, nymph and adult. A complete metamorphosis has a 4 cycle stage which includes: egg, larvae, pupa, and the adult stage. An incomplete metamorphosis is common to numerous insect families including true bugs, cockroaches, praying mantis, crickets, lice and termites.

The grasshopper life cycle begins with the female laying the egg in the initial stage. She will continue to lay eggs every 3-4 days until she completes her life cycle. Once the egg hatches into a nymph which is basically a very young adult. The nymph will continue to grow larger until it molts. The nymph will molt as many as 5 times (instars) before it hatches into an actual adult. Adult grasshoppers live about 2 months depending on the season and climate. The warmer climates permit grasshoppers to extend their life cycles.

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