as in nymph
a young wingless often wormlike form (as a grub or caterpillar) that hatches from the egg of many insects the larva looked ugly, but it was destined to hatch into a beautiful butterfly

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of larva Obligate diapause solves this by ensuring that the whole population goes dormant just before pupation, the final transformation from larva to adult. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2025 In its first winter, the larva enters a quiescent state, pausing its development until conditions improve. Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 The way the toxin gains entry is by activation of Bt’s chitinase which degrades the chitin lining a larva’s digestive tract. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025 This was particularly surprising given that a developing zebrafish larva contains just 1 percent or so of the neurons in its adult counterpart. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for larva
Recent Examples of Synonyms for larva
Noun
  • Instead of looking for adult mayflies, researchers were searching for aquatic immature mayflies, known as nymphs, and used nets to scoop sand from the riverbed, the study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Since then, the nymphs of those periodical cicadas have been underground feeding on tree root tap and waiting to come out, Reall said.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Larva.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/larva. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

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