Which of the following insects is an example of incomplete life cycle?

The example of an incomplete life cycle is best represented by stinkbugs. In insects, an incomplete life cycle is characterized by three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult, without a distinct pupal stage. Stinkbugs, being true bugs in the order Hemiptera, undergo an incomplete metamorphosis where they hatch from eggs into nymphs, which look similar to the adults but are smaller and lack fully developed wings. They then mature through several nymphal stages before becoming adults.

This evolutionary strategy allows for a more gradual growth process, where young nymphs can resemble their adult counterparts in form and function, adapting to the same environments. Other insects like beetles, mosquitoes, and butterflies, on the other hand, undergo complete metamorphosis, which involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, highlighting the primary distinction between these life cycle types.