What metamorphosis type does American Cockroach have?

• A. Simple
• B. Complete
• C. Incomplete
• D. Ametabolous

Answer: (A)

Insects with simple metamorphosis develop gradually without a pupal stage. The immature form, a nymph, looks like a smaller version of the adult and goes through several molts as it grows into the adult. American cockroaches hatch as nymphs that resemble miniature adults, then shed molts and eventually develop fully formed wings in the later molts. Because there is no pupal stage and the young closely resemble the adults, this is described as simple (incomplete) metamorphosis. It’s not complete metamorphosis, which would include a pupal stage with larvae that look very different from the adults, and it’s not ametabolous, which would involve little to no change from juvenile to adult.