# larval

/ˈɫɑɹvəɫ/ (US) · /lˈɑːvəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/larval
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

relating to the early stage of an insect's life before it becomes an adult. You use this to describe the small, often worm-like creature that hatches from an egg.

For teachers: relating to the immature, often worm-like stage of an insect's life cycle, occurring between the egg and the pupal or adult stage.

## Examples

- The butterfly lays its eggs on the leaves for the larval stage.
- During the larval phase, the insect must consume a significant amount of food to grow before it can pupate.
- The larval development of the species is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which explains why the population has declined so sharply in recent years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.