vermiform larva

zoology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

A vermiform larva is a maggot-like larval form found in zoology. Larvae are immature stages in the development of many animals, appearing after birth or hatching and before reaching the adult form. These stages are structurally different from adults and are adapted to different environments or roles, such as dispersal or nutrition.12

Insect larvae, including vermiform types, are classified into various forms such as eruciform (caterpillar-like), scarabaeiform (grublike), campodeiform (elongated and active), elateriform (wireworm-like), and vermiform (maggot-like). The larval stage allows animals to exploit different environments or serve as a means of species dispersal, especially for sedentary adults.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

insect
Types of larvae
…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 (exuviae) of the…
Read More
…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 (exuviae) of the…
Read More

Orthoptera
General features
This stage is called a vermiform larva; shedding of the enclosing membrane occurs at the intermediate molt. The shapeless skins shed by young grasshoppers crawling from egg pods are examples of such exuviae (cast skins).
Read More
This stage is called a vermiform larva; shedding of the enclosing membrane occurs at the intermediate molt. The shapeless skins shed by young grasshoppers crawling from egg pods are examples of such exuviae (cast skins).
Read More