larva
Definitions
The immature, wingless, and often wormlike feeding form that hatches from the egg of many insects.
The early form of any animal that is fundamentally different in appearance from its adult stage, such as a tadpole.
Examples
The butterfly begins its life cycle as a tiny larva feeding on milkweed leaves.
After hatching, the beetle larva will burrow deep into the decaying wood.
Scientists studied the movement patterns of the mosquito larva under a microscope.