What is the larva stage in insect development?

The larval stage in insect development refers to the period when the young insect has hatched from its egg and continues to grow and develop until it reaches the pupal stage. During this stage, the insect typically looks very different from its adult form and is often focused on feeding and growing. This growth entails molting, where the larva sheds its skin multiple times as it increases in size.

It is essential to recognize that the larval stage is a crucial phase in complete metamorphosis, which also includes the egg, pupa, and adult stages. During the larval stage, the insect may undergo significant physiological and morphological changes as it prepares for the next phase of its life cycle, converting from a feeding organism to a pupating one.