larva noun, plural
larvae, adjective
larval - An insect after issuing from the egg; in particular the second stage of an insect with complete
metamorphosis. The term
caterpillar is generally applied to the larvae of butterflies and moths (
Lepidoptera). The larval stage is when the insect grows most in size--the growth is interrupted by molts (
ecdysis) of the
integument, and each stage between molts is called an
instar.
The immature stages of an insect with simple
metamorphosis are called
nymphs. (If aquatic, these are called
naiads.)