The Collaborative International Dictionary
Larva \Lar"va\ (l[aum]r"v[.a]), n.; pl. L. Larv[ae] (l[aum]r"v[ae]), E. Larvas (l[aum]r"v[.a]z). [L. larva ghost, specter, mask.]
(Zo["o]l.) Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa, or chrysalis. During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larv[ae] of many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larv[ae] are totally unlike the parents in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc.
(Zo["o]l.) The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.
Wiktionary
n. (plural of caterpillar English)
Usage examples of "caterpillars".
But different species can kill as many as two hundred kinds of pests, mostly caterpillars, like armyworms, cutworms, corn earworms, moths, leafworms and bollworms.
One species can parasitize a hundred kinds of caterpillars, including budworms and cabbage white butterfly larvae.
Pepper contains piperettine and piperine, compounds that are poisonous to some caterpillars, beetles and weevils.
Truly fast-moving beetles, they go after ants, caterpillars and other creatures.
Aggressive and gluttonous, it can eat massive quantities of insects, including beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers.
Spray on plants to kill or repel cutworms, Wireworms, other caterpillars, slugs and Whiteflies.
All the others are too small for most people to be aware of, but they do excellent work controlling Whiteflies, thrips, caterpillars and other pests in the garden.
The caterpillars must be in the leaf-chewing stage - not the moth or butterfly stage.
It can be dusted (wearing a mask and goggles) or sprayed to control beetles, caterpillars, weavers, borers and others.
We use it to keep chewing insects like caterpillars from enjoying our plants.
It has good repellent properties and will keep certain pests, especially caterpillars and beetle larvae, from eating the plants.
This is especially good for cabbage white caterpillars, cabbage moth larvae and other caterpillars.
It harms soft-bodied pests like caterpillars and aphids but won't hurt bees and ladybeetles.
Once each cell nears completion, the female wasp forages around the garden for caterpillars and other tiny creatures, which she paralyses with a sting and then puts in the cell for the larval wasp to eat.
But try to do it as soon as possible, before the female wasp has filled the cells up with caterpillars, spiders and baby wasps.