larval
Like a caterpillar
Larval describes the early, immature stage of an insect or other animal that undergoes metamorphosis—the wormlike form before it becomes a butterfly, the tadpole before it becomes a frog.
Figuratively, larval suggests something undeveloped or embryonic: The project was still in its larval stage.
Insect's resting stage
Moth or butterfly young
- grubFood or larva
- maggotImmature fly stage
- nymphNature spirit or larva
- instarArthropod developmental stage
silkworm · hornworm · mealworm · antlion · leafroller · cutworm · armyworm · inchworm
Immature aquatic amphibian
Starting to develop
- nascentBeginning to develop
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
- embryonicAt earliest developmental stage
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
emerging · beginning · dawning · formative · early · undeveloped · gestating · evolving
Not fully developed
- undevelopedNot fully formed
- embryonicAt earliest developmental stage
- nascentBeginning to develop
- incipientStarting to develop
rudimentary · early-stage · juvenile · formative · inchoate · premature · unformed · germinal
pupa
Insect's resting stage
caterpillar
Moth or butterfly young
instar · silkworm · hornworm · mealworm · antlion · leafroller · cutworm · armyworm · inchworm · cankerworm
tadpole
Immature aquatic amphibian
incipient
Starting to develop
- nascentBeginning to develop
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
- embryonicAt earliest developmental stage
fledgling · emerging · beginning · dawning · formative · early · undeveloped · gestating · evolving · burgeoning
immature
Not fully developed
- undevelopedNot fully formed
- embryonicAt earliest developmental stage
- nascentBeginning to develop
incipient · rudimentary · early-stage · juvenile · formative · inchoate · premature · unformed · germinal · transitional
- Insect Traitssix-legged, winged, antennae, exoskeleton, segmented
- biology termscell, DNA, genetics, genetic, evolution
- growth stagesmature, immature, developing, adult, juvenile
- life stagesbaby, teenager, adult, childhood, adolescence
larvaladult
Mature person, legally responsible
mature · grown · full-grown · sexually mature · imago
larvaladult
Mature person, legally responsible
metamorphosed · developed · transformed · imaginal · winged
- beetle larvaeImmature stage of coleopterans
- insect larvae
- larval stageEarly developmental form
- fly larvaeImmature stage of flies
- larval host plantsFlora sustaining juvenile insects
- mosquito larvaJuvenile biting insect stage