What stage comes immediately after the larval stage in insects that undergo complete metamorphosis?

In insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, the life cycle consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larval stage is crucial as this is when the insect primarily feeds and grows. Following this stage, the insect enters the pupal stage, which acts as a transformative period where the larva undergoes significant reorganization to become an adult.

During the pupal stage, the insect is typically inactive and may be enclosed in a chrysalis or cocoon, depending on the species. This stage allows for the structural changes and development of adult features, such as wings and reproductive organs, which prepares the insect for its life as an adult.

The other stages listed do not follow the larval stage directly. The nymph stage is characteristic of insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, where the young resemble smaller versions of the adults and grow through a series of molts without a pupal stage. The adult stage comes after the pupal stage, marking the final stage of the life cycle when the insect can reproduce. The egg stage is the beginning of the life cycle, preceding the larval stage.