glossary

larva n. (pl. larvae)

Definition larva n. (pl. larvae)

larva n. (pl. larvae)

larva n. (pl. larvae) the preadult or immature stage hatching from the egg of some animal groups, e.g. insects and nematodes, which may be markedly different from the sexually mature adult and have a totally different way of life. For example, the larvae of some flies are parasites of animals and cause disease whereas the adults are free-living. -larval adj.