How many pupa/larva stages do bed bugs have in their life cycle?

Bed bugs do not have distinct pupa or larval stages in their life cycle, which is a key aspect of their development. Instead, bed bugs undergo a process called incomplete metamorphosis, involving three main life stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

The life cycle begins with the egg stage, which hatches into a nymph. As the nymph grows, it molts several times, progressing through multiple nymphal stages (usually five) before reaching adulthood. Each of these nymphal stages is similar in appearance to the adult, though smaller, and develops further until the insect reaches maturity. Therefore, the absence of a distinct pupal or larval stage is what makes the correct answer grounded in the understanding of bed bug development.

The other options either suggest the presence of one, two, or three stages that are not accurate for bed bugs, as their lifecycle bypasses these stages entirely. Understanding the bed bug life cycle is crucial in effective pest control and management strategies.