elateriform larva

zoology

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June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

The elateriform larva, also known as a wireworm, is a type of insect larva characterized by its slender, cylindrical, and usually brown body with a hard outer skeleton. These larvae are commonly found in the order Coleoptera, which includes beetles.12

Elateriform larvae are typically found in soil or decaying wood, where they feed on plant roots, seeds, or other insect larvae. Their tough exterior protects them as they burrow and consume their food sources. This larval form is distinct from the adult beetle and is adapted for a specific stage of development and ecological niche.324

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insect
Types of larvae
…campodeiform (elongated, flattened, and active), elateriform (wireworm-like), and vermiform (maggot-like). The three types of pupae are: obtect, with appendages more or less glued to the body; exarate, with the appendages free and not glued to the body; and coarctate, which is essentially exarate but remaining covered by the cast skins…
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…campodeiform (elongated, flattened, and active), elateriform (wireworm-like), and vermiform (maggot-like). The three types of pupae are: obtect, with appendages more or less glued to the body; exarate, with the appendages free and not glued to the body; and coarctate, which is essentially exarate but remaining covered by the cast skins…
Read More