Larvae
Larvae
Larvae (/ˈlɑːrviː/; singular: larva /ˈlɑːrvə/) are 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" comes from the Latin larva, meaning "mask" or "ghost". It was used in biology to describe this stage of an animal's life cycle because the larva often has a different form, structure, and habit than the adult.
Types of Larvae
There are several types of larvae, categorized based on the type of organism and the environment they inhabit. Some of these include:
- Zooplankton: These are the larval stage of certain sea animals like crustaceans and mollusks.
- Nymph: This term is used for the larvae of insects with incomplete metamorphosis.
- Caterpillar: The larval stage of butterflies and moths.
- Tadpole: The larval stage of amphibians, particularly frogs and toads.
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.
- Pupa: The life stage of some insects undergoing transformation between immature and mature stages.
- Instar: A developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, between each moult until sexual maturity is reached.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Larvae
- Wikipedia's article - Larvae
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