Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Latin]] ''larva'' a [[ghost]], spectre, hobgoblin; also, a [[mask]].

[[Latin]] ''larva'' a [[ghost]], spectre, hobgoblin; also, a [[mask]].

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1768]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1768]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: A disembodied spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, spectre. (now obsolete)

*1: A disembodied spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, spectre. (now obsolete)

:b. Applied to the early immature form of [[animals]] of other classes, when the [[development]] to [[maturity]] involves some sort of [[metamorphosis]].

:b. Applied to the early immature form of [[animals]] of other classes, when the [[development]] to [[maturity]] involves some sort of [[metamorphosis]].

==Description==

==Description==

A '''larva''' (Latin; plural ''larvae'') is a distinct [[Youth|juvenile]] form many [[animals]] undergo before [[metamorphosis]] into adults. Animals with indirect [[development]] such as insects, amphibians, or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidarians cnidarians] typically have a larval phase of their life [[cycle]]. Larva is [[Latin]] for "[[ghost]]."

A '''larva''' (Latin; plural ''larvae'') is a distinct [[Youth|juvenile]] form many [[animals]] undergo before [[metamorphosis]] into adults. Animals with indirect [[development]] such as insects, amphibians, or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidarians cnidarians] typically have a larval phase of their life [[cycle]]. Larva is [[Latin]] for "[[ghost]]."

The larva's [[appearance]] is generally very [[different]] from the adult form (e.g. caterpillars and butterflies), and a larva often has [[unique]] [[structures]] and larval organs that do not occur in the adult form. A larva's diet can be considerably different from its adult form.

The larva's [[appearance]] is generally very [[different]] from the adult form (e.g. caterpillars and butterflies), and a larva often has [[unique]] [[structures]] and larval organs that do not occur in the adult form. A larva's diet can be considerably different from its adult form.

Larvae are frequently [[adapted]] to [[environments]] separate from adults. For example, some larvae such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpoles tadpoles] live exclusively in aquatic environments, but as adults can live outside water as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogs frogs]. By living in distinct [[environments]], larvae may be given [[shelter]] from predators and reduce [[competition]] for resources with the adult population.

Larvae are frequently [[adapted]] to [[environments]] separate from adults. For example, some larvae such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpoles tadpoles] live exclusively in aquatic environments, but as adults can live outside water as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogs frogs]. By living in distinct [[environments]], larvae may be given [[shelter]] from predators and reduce [[competition]] for resources with the adult population.

Animals in the larval stage will consume [[food]] to fuel their [[transition]] into the adult form. Some [[species]] such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles barnacles] are immobile as adults, and use their mobile larvae form to [[distribute]] themselves.

Animals in the larval stage will consume [[food]] to fuel their [[transition]] into the adult form. Some [[species]] such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles barnacles] are immobile as adults, and use their mobile larvae form to [[distribute]] themselves.

The larvae of some [[species]] can become [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty pubescent] and not further develop into the adult form (for example, in some newts). This is a type of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny neoteny].

The larvae of some [[species]] can become [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty pubescent] and not further develop into the adult form (for example, in some newts). This is a type of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny neoteny].

It is a misunderstanding that the larval form always [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recapitulation_theory reflects the group's evolutionary history]. It could be the case, but often the larval stage has evolved secondarily, as in insects. In these cases the larval form might differ more from the [[group]]'s common [[origin]] than the adult form.

It is a misunderstanding that the larval form always [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recapitulation_theory reflects the group's evolutionary history]. It could be the case, but often the larval stage has evolved secondarily, as in insects. In these cases the larval form might differ more from the [[group]]'s common [[origin]] than the adult form.

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Pupa]]'''''

*'''''[[Pupa]]'''''

*'''''[[Chrysalis]]'''''

*'''''[[Chrysalis]]'''''

[[Category: Biology]]

[[Category: Biology]]