What are the three stages of a bed bug's life cycle?

The correct answer identifies the three stages of a bed bug's life cycle as Egg, Nymphs (5 instars), and Adult.

In the life cycle of a bed bug, it begins with the egg stage, which is where new bed bugs are laid by the adult female. The nymph stage follows, which consists of five instars. During these instars, the bed bugs will molt and grow, progressing through each stage until they reach adulthood. Each instar represents a growth phase, and at each phase, the nymphs require a blood meal to molt into the next stage. Finally, the adult stage is when the bed bugs are fully developed and capable of reproduction, enabling the continuation of the life cycle.

This detailed breakdown of the life stages is essential for understanding the behavior and habits of bed bugs, which is crucial for effective pest control strategies. Other options do not accurately reflect the complete cycle, as they either mislabel the stages or omit significant details such as the specific number of nymphal instars.