The pre-adult stage in insects and nematodes occurring between the egg and the sexually mature adult.
n. (pl. larvae) the preadult or immature stage hatching from the egg of some animal groups, e.g. insects and nematodes, which may be markedly different from the sexually mature adult and have a totally different way of life. For example, the larvae of some flies are parasites of animals and cause disease whereas the adults are free-living. —larval adj.
A self-limiting, intensely itching skin eruption caused by nematode (roundworm) larvae, usually of the dog and cat hookworm (see ANCYLOSTOMIASIS). The migrating larvae leave red, raised, irregular tracks in the skin, often on the foot and less frequently elsewhere. The disease is usually acquired by people who take their holidays on tropical beaches. It can be cured by a three-day course of oral ALBENDAZOLE.... larva migrans
A cutaneous eruption resulting from exposure of the skin the infective filariform larva of non-human hookworms, Ancylostoma braziliense, A. caninum and some Strongyloides spp (especially S. procyormis of the raccoon and S. myopotami of the nutria).... cutaneous larva migrans
Health Encyclopedia