larval stages
Before adult form
The larval stages are the developmental phases an organism passes through between hatching and reaching adult form.
Insects, amphibians, and many marine animals undergo distinct larval stages, each with characteristic features: The caterpillar molts through five larval stages before pupating.
In figurative use, larval stages can describe early, unformed phases of any developing entity.
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- eggReproductive cell in shell
- setaeStiff hairlike structures
antennae · parr · diapause · ocelli · exoskeleton · cuticle · instar · filter feeding · molting · segmented · detritivore · crawling · feeding · wriggling · shedding · transformation · prolegs · cocoon
developmental maturity
larval stagesadult stage
Fully developed life phase
adult form · imago · senescence · old age · adulthood