Types of Larvae

 There are three main types of insects larvae namely oligopod, polypod and apodous.

A  Oligopod: Thoracic legs are well developed. Abdominal legs are absent. There are subtypes:

a) Campodiform: Larvae are elongated, somewhat flattened and legs are well developed. Example: Lady bird beetle larvae

b) Scarabaeidiform: Having short thoracic legs and C-shaped body, these larvae are known as grubs. Example: White grubs.

c) Elateriform: Having elongated, cylindrical long body with tough shin, popularly known as wireworms. Example: click beetle larvae.

B. Polypod – They possess thoracic and abdominal legs (prolegs). They are of following types:

a) Pseudocaterpillar: Larvae having 3 pairs of thoracic legs and 6 to 9 pairs of prolegs.

Example: Sawfly larvae

b) Caterpillar: Besides 3 pairs of thoracic legs, they possess 5 pair of prolegs. Example: Cabbage butterfly larvae

c) Semilooper: Having 3 pairs of thoracic legs, and 3 pairs of prolegs. Example: Cabbage semi-loopers

d) Looper: They have 3 pairs of thoracic legs and only 2 pairs of prolegs. Example: Inch-worm larvae.

C. Apodous: Larvae lacking both thoracic legs and prolegs.

a) Eucephalous: Well sclerotized head capsule.

Example: Cerambycidae ( round headed bettle)

b) Hemicephalous: Head slightly reduced. Example: Honey bee larvae

c) Acephalous: Head greatly reduced. These larvae are called maggots. Example: Housefly maggots.