Definitions

1. noun

The first stage of development of an insect, especially a hemipteran or a thysanuran, after hatching from an egg, before it moults into a deutonymph.

“The protonymph stage is a critical phase in the life cycle of many insects.”

2. noun

A protonymph is also the first stage of development of an arachnid, especially a mite or a tick, after hatching from an egg, before it moults into a deutonymph.

“The protonymph stage of a tick is usually the most vulnerable stage of its life cycle.”