A larva is an early stage in the life cycle of many insects, such as butterflies and beetles. It typically follows the egg stage and is often worm-like in appearance. Larvae are primarily focused on feeding and growing, as they prepare to undergo metamorphosis into their adult forms. During the larval stage, these creatures may inhabit various environments, depending on their species. For example, caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies and moths, while grubs are the larvae of beetles. This stage can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the species and environmental conditions.