Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada

instar

Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
No Taxon (Glossary)
No Taxon (I)
No Taxon instar
Explanation of Names
From Latin instar, image, form, figure.
Identification
instar noun - life stage of an arthropod after molting, and shedding of skin. In larvae (immature insects with complete metamorphosis), the instars are numbered--the first instar being the stage after the hatching of the egg and before the first molt, etc.
Print References
Gordh, A Dictionary of Entomology, p. 475 (1)
Works Cited
1.A Dictionary of Entomology
George Gordh, David H. Headrick. 2003. CABI Publishing.