A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians).

The larva can look completely different from the adult form, for example, a caterpillar differs from a butterfly. Larvae often have special (larval) organs which do not occur in the adult form. The larvae of some species can become pubescent without actually developing into the adult form (for example, in some newts). This is called neoteny.

Names of various kinds of larvae:

Fresh-water mussel	Glochidium
Many crustaceans	Nauplius
Decapod	Zoea
Butterfly, moth	Caterpillar
Beetle	Grub
Fly	Maggot
Mosquito	Wriggler
Bee	Schadon
Lamprey	Ammocoete
Eel	Leptocephalus
Frog	Polliwog
Toad	Tadpole