larval
pronunciation
How to pronounce larval in British English:
UK ['lɑ:vl]
How to pronounce larval in American English:
US ['lɑvl]
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- Adjective:
- immature of its kind; especially being or characteristic of immature insects in the newly hatched wormlike feeding stage
- relating to or typical of a larva
Word Origin
- larval (adj.)
- 1650s, from Latin larvalis, from larva (see larva).
Example
- 1. The larval form of a fly is a maggot .
- 2. Larval salamander of mountain lakes of mexico that usually lives without metamorphosing .
- 3. Larval and nymphal ticks may penetrate a coarse weave sock .
- 4. Female beewolf digger wasps cultivate symbiotic streptomyces bacteria in unique antennal glands and secrete them into their larval brood cells .
- 5. The larval form of certain insects , such as silverfish and grasshoppers , usually resembling the adult form but smaller and lacking fully developed wings .