- (n.) The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.
- (n.) Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa or chrysalis. During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larvae of many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larvae are totally unlike the parents in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). Larva. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/larva/definitions/2026692 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "Larva" http://smartdefine.org/larva/definitions/2026692 (accessed September 24, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, Larva, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/larva/definitions/2026692>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "Larva" 27 May 2011. Web. 24 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/larva/definitions/2026692> |