Larva
Larva
Larva (/ˈlɑːrvə/; plural larvae /ˈlɑːrviː/) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle.
Etymology
The term "larva" is derived from the Latin larva, meaning "mask" or "ghost". This term was used in biology due to the dramatically different appearance of larval forms compared to adult forms.
Related Terms
- Metamorphosis: The process by which an animal develops after birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure through cell growth and differentiation.
- Pupa: The life stage of some insects undergoing transformation between immature and mature stages.
- Nymph: The immature form of some invertebrates, particularly insects, which undergoes gradual metamorphosis before reaching its adult stage.
- Instar: A developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, between each moult until sexual maturity is reached.
- Zoea: One of the larval stages in the development of many crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimps.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Larva
- Wikipedia's article - Larva
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