The immature stages of these insects are generally called nymphs rather than larvae. Only adult insects are able to reproduce, and only adult insects have functional wings (in those species that have wings). The general appearance of the immature stages is somewhat similar to that of adults, although there may be some dramatic differences in lifestyle. Hemimetabolous insects do not have a pupal stage. They do not need camouflage or legs in these habitats. The parasitic Hymenoptera are similar in that they spend their larval period inside hosts or well-stocked nests. In these species food is brought to them by the adult nest mates. The social Hymenoptera, which includes some wasps, some bees, and all ants have larvae with very few external features, as they do not have to forage for food. Many sawfly larvae are similar to lepidopteran caterpillars, and feed externally on plant material. ![]() The larvae of sawflies, wasps, bees and ants (Hymenoptera) are diverse in form. Most legless beetle grubs have robust chewing mouthparts and can be distinguished from fly maggots, which often have modified mouth 'hooks'. Many retain segmented legs, although weevil grubs nearly always lack legs. There are many aquatic species, and a few which resemble caterpillars and feed openly on leaves. The majority live in concealed habitats, such as underground, or inside trees. Grubsīeetle larvae (Coleoptera) are highly diverse in their shapes. Fly maggots live on a huge range of foods - from human flesh through to kelp on the seashore. Unlike the larvae of Lepidoptera there is no one character that can be used to separate fly maggots from other large orders such as the Hymenoptera (Wasps, Bees, Ants, and Sawflies), as the immature stages of many species in these orders also lack segmented legs. Quite a few species are internal parasites of other animals, where legs would be of no use. Lepidopteran larvae have chewing mouthparts, and the majority of species are adapted to eating plant material.įly larvae (Diptera) lack any segmented legs on the thorax, and are often highly specialised for living in wet environments. Although there are some caterpillar-like larvae from other insect orders, such as sawfly larvae (Order Hymenoptera, Suborder Symphyta) and leaf beetle larvae (Order Coleoptera, Family Chrysomelidae), they can be distinguished from lepidopteran larvae by the absence of prolegs with crochets. These are called crochets, and only occur in the insect order Lepidoptera. Each proleg has a set of tiny hooks, which are arranged in rings or series around the tip of the proleg. Prolegs differ from the usual insect legs in that they are not jointed. Moth, butterfly and skipper (Lepidoptera) caterpillars have pairs of prolegs on their abdomen in addition to the three pairs of jointed walking legs on the thorax. ![]() Beetle larvae are often referred to as grubs. Fly larvae are nearly always called maggots. ![]() For instance, moths, butterflies and skippers have larvae which are usually called caterpillars. The major insect orders have larvae with different common names. This means that they may have good camouflage, or hide in shelters or holes, or they may taste dreadful to any prospective predators. Apart from eating, they are mainly concerned with avoiding being eaten themselves. They do not have to lay eggs, or find a mate. Holometabolous larva in general are little more than tubular, efficient eating machines. Holometabolous larvae are larvae that pupate before emerging as adult insects, and include many of the most familiar insects.
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