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larva Definition

larva (lär)

noun pl. -·vae′-vē′ or -·vas

the early, free-living, immature form of any animal that changes structurally when it becomes an adult, usually by a complex metamorphosis the caterpillar is the larva of the butterfly, the tadpole is the larva of the frog

Etymology: L, ghost, specter, akin to lar, household spirit: see lares

larva Related Forms
lar·val adjective
larva Synonyms

larva

n.

maggot, grub, caterpillar; see invertebrate, worm 1.

larva Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • beetle: In the first case the ' wooly bears ' as they are commonly called, are the larvae of the carpet beetle.
  • moth: The grubs are in fact the larvae of the moth.
  • wasp: Once the parasitoid larva hatches from the egg it will kill and consume the larva of the gall wasp.
  • insect: The bacteria produce a chemical which will turn into an active toxin when eaten by larvae of specific insects.
  • butterfly: The last is an important food plant for the larva of the rare marsh fritillary butterfly.

Converse of object

  • encyst: A five-day dose of fenbendazole controls inhibited encysted small redworm larvae.
  • hatch: The Sheep Nostril fly places already hatched larvae in the nostrils of sheep.

Adjective modifier

  • planktonic: However, with no planktonic larva the dispersal of the mutation will be slow.
  • l3: L3 larvae are invasive and may penetrate human skin, giving rise to cutaneous larval migrans.
  • infective: Birds become infected when they consume the host containing the infective larvae.
  • l1: Viviparous adult females release L1 larvae into fresh water.
  • decapod: Ecology of decapod crustacean larvae in the Irish Sea and the German Bight during the spring.
  • beetle: They can be important predators of insect pests, such as aphids, scale insects and bark beetle larvae.

Modifies a noun

  • migrans: Visceral larva migrans â this form of the disease develops due to severe or repeated toxocariasis infection.

Noun used with modifier

  • caddis: In recent years there has been quite a craze for the Polish or Check heavily weighted nymphs that imitate free-swimming caddis larvae.
  • lacewing: Large numbers of ants can prevent the effectiveness of lacewing larvae.
  • weevil: Damage to plant roots by vine weevil larvae shows by the plants starting to wilt.
  • mosquito: Coming direct from a cave he found no mosquito larva or sea monsters present.
  • sawfly: Filed under: In Our Garden -- Davina Jane @ 1:07 pm Gooseberry sawfly larvae have arrived!
  • midge: Tiny midge larvae ( 3mm long, orange or white ) cause the damage.

Browse dictionary entries near larva

  1. Larry
  2. larrup
  3. larrikin
  4. larrigan
  5. Larousse
  6. larkspur
  7. Larkin
  8. lark
  9. Larisa
  10. larine
  1. larvicide
  2. laryngeal
  3. laryngectomy
  4. laryngitis
  5. laryngo-
  6. laryngology
  7. laryngopharynx
  8. laryngoscope
  9. laryngoscopy
  10. larynogopharynxes