How do mantispid larvae change as they develop?

Mantispid larvae undergo significant physical changes as they develop to suit their parasitic lifestyle. Upon hatching, the larvae are active and possess well-developed legs and a squarish head, which allows them to locate and enter a spider’s egg case.1

Once inside the egg case, the larvae undergo a transformation, molting into a fat, white grub with short legs. In this form, they consume the spider eggs and newly hatched spiderlings. After this growth phase, the fully developed larva spins a silken cocoon before entering its first pupal stage, though some species exhibit an unusual, active second pupal stage that lacks a cocoon.1