larval

Everyday

Larval means to do with a larva, the young stage of an insect, frog or other animal before it changes into its adult form. tree →

In the lessons

Met in science lessons about life cycles: a caterpillar is the larval stage of a butterfly, a tadpole is the larval stage of a frog. It tells the reader we are talking about the young, not-yet-changed form. Phrase: the larval stage.

Examples

• A caterpillar is the larval stage of a butterfly. tree →
• The larval stage of a frog is called a tadpole. tree →
• Mosquito larvae live in water during their larval stage. tree →
• Larval beetles are often called grubs. tree →
• Some insects spend years in their larval form. tree →
• We drew the egg, larval, pupal and adult stages. tree →

Note

Comes from «larva» (one), «larvae» (more than one). «Larval» is only an adjective: say «the larval stage», not «a larval». Do not mix up «larva» (young insect) with «lava» (melted rock from a volcano).