Synonyms of larva

larva

noun

ˈlär-və 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nymph
• pupa
• naiad

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of larva

If cut open, there may be a wasp larva or a mite inside the gall. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

The findings, detailed in a study published today in the journal Science, trace the larva’s daily diving routine with a sonar system, and look at what is going on at the biological level. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 23 July 2026

In a paper published this month in PLOS One, Alaei and her colleagues propose an alternative - employing a suite of superworms, a kind of hefty beetle larva that can capably pick a variety of animal skeletons clean. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 17 July 2026

Look in curled leaves that often contain webs with the larva stages — often called worms. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026