planidium

English

Planidium (in this case a triungulin and other instars of a Meloid beetle

Etymology

From the Ancient Greek πλανής (planḗs, “wanderer”)

Noun

planidium (plural planidia)

1. The first-instar larva of any species of parasitoidal insect in which the life cycle is an example of hypermetamorphosis; so called because the first instar wanders in search of the host, whereas the rest of the instars remain stationary while they feed until they pupate.

Synonyms

• triungulin

Derived terms

• planidial
• planidiform