By living in a distinct environment, larvae may be given shelter from predators and reduce competition for resources with the adult population.Īnimals in the larval stage will consume food to fuel their transition into the adult form.

For example, some larvae such as tadpoles live almost exclusively in aquatic environments, but can live outside water as adult frogs. Larvae are frequently adapted to different environments than adults. Their diet may also be considerably different. caterpillars and butterflies) including different unique structures and organs that do not occur in the adult form. The larva's appearance is generally very different from the adult form ( e.g. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle.

Larva of the Papilio xuthus butterflyĪ larva ( / ˈ l ɑːr v ə/ PL: larvae / ˈ l ɑːr v iː/) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into their next life stage.

For other uses, see Larva (disambiguation).

Why do sponge larvae move