larval stage

Definitions

The immature, active, and often morphologically distinct phase of an animal's life cycle between the egg and the pupa or adult.

A developmental period in the life cycle of many invertebrates and amphibians characterized by rapid growth and significant physical transformation.

Examples

During the larval stage, the caterpillar consumes vast amounts of leaves to fuel its rapid growth.

Many marine invertebrates spend their larval stage drifting as plankton in the open ocean.

The parasite undergoes a significant transformation once it completes its larval stage and enters the adult phase.

Synonyms

immature stage nymphal stage juvenile phase early development metamorphic stage larval form pupa precursor

Antonyms

adult stage imago mature phase fully developed reproductive stage final form