What life stages do bed bugs go through?

Bed bugs undergo a life cycle that consists of three primary stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults. This is characteristic of hemimetabolous insects, where development occurs through gradual changes without a distinct larval stage or a pupal stage, unlike insects that go through complete metamorphosis.

The first stage is the egg, which is where the bed bug begins its life cycle. These eggs are small and can be found in various locations where bed bugs are likely to hide. Once they hatch, they enter the nymph stage. Nymphs resemble smaller versions of adult bed bugs but are not yet fully mature. They go through several molts, typically five, before reaching adulthood. Each molt requires a blood meal for the nymphs to progress to the next stage.

Finally, the adult stage is when bed bugs can reproduce and continue the cycle, making them a persistent pest issue. Understanding these stages is crucial for pest management and control strategies, as targeting the adults and nymphs can significantly reduce bed bug populations, while the eggs pose a challenge due to their protective coating.

Therefore, the correct answer provides an accurate depiction of bed bug life stages as they progress from eggs to nymphs and finally to adults.