What are larvae in the context of insects?

Larvae refer to the immature forms of insects that are undergoing metamorphosis. This stage is crucial in the life cycle of insects that experience complete metamorphosis, which includes four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. During the larval stage, insects like butterflies, beetles, and flies often have a different form and focus on growth and feeding, preparing them for the next phase of development.

Understanding the larval stage is essential in pest management and pesticide application, as targeting this stage may be effective for controlling populations of certain insects. For example, many pest control measures are most effective when aimed at larvae, as they can be more vulnerable to treatments compared to the adult forms that are typically harder to manage due to their mobility and established behavior patterns.

The other options represent different stages in an insect's life cycle but do not accurately describe larvae. For instance, the adult forms are the fully developed insects that emerge from the pupal stage, while the pupal stage itself is another transformation phase distinct from the larval state, and the eggs represent the reproductive starting point before larvae hatch and begin their growth.