zoology

Larvae: Definition, Stages, and Life Cycle Explained

Larvae are the immature, often free-living stages of many animals, including insects, amphibians, and marine invertebrates, and they can differ strikingly from the adult in form, habitat, and diet. Their role in metamorphosis, dispersal, and ecological survival makes larvae a vital subject in biology, with surprising importance across agriculture, medicine, fisheries, and evolution.