What Are the 5 Types of Insect Larvae?

Life cycle of Tawny Rajah butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to butterfly. — Mathisa_s / Getty Images

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Updated on December 12, 2019

Whether you are a dedicated insect enthusiast or a gardener trying to control a plant pest, you may need to identify immature insects from time to time.

Some insects go through gradual metamorphosis in three stages from egg to nymph to adult. In their nymph stage they look essentially the same as in their adult stage except they are smaller and don't have wings.

But about 75% of insects undergo a complete metamorphosis beginning with a larval stage. In this stage, the insect feeds and grows, usually molting several times before reaching the pupal stage. The larva looks quite different from the adult it will eventually become which makes identifying insect larvae more challenging.

Your first step should be determining the larval form. You might not know the proper scientific nomenclature for a particular form of larva, but you can probably describe them in laymen's terms. Does it look like a maggot? Does it remind you of a caterpillar? Did you find some kind of grub? Does the insect seem worm-like, but have tiny legs? Entomologists describe five types of larvae, based on their body shape.

01

of 05

Eruciform

Does it look like a caterpillar?

Eruciform larvae look like caterpillars and in most cases, are caterpillars. The body is cylindrical with a well-developed head capsule and very short antennae. Eruciform larvae have both thoracic (true) legs and abdominal prolegs.

Eruciform larvae may be found in the following insect groups:

02

of 05

Scarabaeiform

Does it look like a grub?

Scarabaeiform larvae are commonly called grubs. These larvae will usually be curved or C-shaped, and sometimes hairy, with a well-developed head capsule. They bear thoracic legs but lack abdominal prolegs. Grubs tend to be slow or sluggish.

Scarabaeiform larvae are found in some families of Coleoptera, specifically, those classified in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea.

Campodeiform

Campodeiform larvae are usually predaceous and typically quite active. Their bodies are elongate but slightly flattened, with well-developed legs, antennae, and cerci. The mouthparts face forward, helpful when they are in pursuit of prey.

Campodeiform larvae may be found in the following insect groups:

Coleoptera
Trichoptera
Neuroptera

04

of 05

Elateriform

Does it look like a worm with legs?

Elateriform larvae are shaped like worms, but with heavily sclerotized—or hardened—bodies. They have short legs and very reduced body bristles.

Elateriform larvae are primarily found in Coleoptera, specifically the Elateridae for which the form is named.

05

of 05

Vermiform

Close up of maggots. — Getty Images/Science Photo Library

Does it look like a maggot?

Vermiform larvae are maggot-like, with elongate bodies but no legs. They may or may not have well-developed head capsules.

Vermiform larvae may be found in the following insect groups:

Diptera
Siphonaptera
Hymenoptera
Orthoptera
Lepidoptera
Coleoptera

Now that you have a basic understanding of the 5 different forms of insect larvae, you can practice identifying insect larvae using a dichotomous key provided by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Sources

Capinera, John L. (ed.) Encyclopedia of Entomology, 2nd edition. Springer, 2008, Heidelberg.
“Entomologists' Glossary.” Entomologists' Glossary - Amateur Entomologists' Society (AES).
“Glossary.” BugGuide.Net.
“Recognizing Insect Larval Types.” Entomology.
Triplehorn, Charles A. and Johnson, Norman F. Borror and DeLong's Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition. Cengage Learning, 2004, Independence, Ky.

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Hadley, Debbie. "What Are the 5 Types of Insect Larvae?" ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/insect-larval-forms-1968484. Hadley, Debbie. (2021, February 16). What Are the 5 Types of Insect Larvae? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/insect-larval-forms-1968484 Hadley, Debbie. "What Are the 5 Types of Insect Larvae?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/insect-larval-forms-1968484 (accessed April 20, 2024).