planidium
English
editPlanidium (in this case a triungulin and other instars of a Meloid beetle
Etymology
editFrom the Ancient Greek πλανής (planḗs, “wanderer”)[1]
Noun
editplanidium (plural planidia)
- 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.