larva
nounfeminine/ˈlarvɐ/medium
lar·va
Definition
The early developmental stage of many animals, especially insects, after hatching from the egg and before metamorphosis into the adult form.
The fly larva develops in decaying organic matter.
The larvae of many insects are called 'caterpillars'.
Common collocations
mosquito larvabutterfly larvalarval stagelarval development
Etymology
Do latim 'larva', 'fantasma, espectro', posteriormente aplicado ao estado inicial de alguns animais.