adjective
larval
LAR-vul/ˈlɑːrvl/
Relating to an animal's immature larva stage before adulthood.
The newly hatched caterpillar begins its larval stage on the leaf.
Etymology
Latin larva meant both a ghost and a mask. Immature animals were called larvae because their unlike appearance was seen as masking the adult form, giving larval its zoological meaning.
In context
it's very effective against the young larvae so you need to get it on in the early growth stages of the larval stage
More examples
- Caterpillars are the larval form of butterflies and moths.
- Many fish feed on larval insects.
- During its larval stage, the beetle feeds on wood.
Forms
larva noun — An immature animal before its adult stage.