Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Image

Larva – head or tail?

Monarch butterfly larva on a plant.

Soft, black filaments are at either end. The filaments behind the head wiggle when the larva feeds. Note that the filaments are not antennae. Three pairs of true legs are near the head. Each leg has a single claw. Prolegs are at the back. These help the larva cling to the plant.

Image: Jacqui Knight

Glossary

Rights: Jacqui Knight
Published: 18 August 2017Size: 68.03 KB
Referencing Hub media

Explore related content

Appears inRelated resources
Interactive image map or the monarch butterfly life cycle.

Interactive

Monarch butterfly life cycle

Click on the stages tabs to learn more about the different stages of the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. ...

Read more
Vegetable caterpillar

Article

Vegetable caterpillar

Imagine a creature that turns moths into mummies by trapping them in an underground grave before emerging out of their ...

Read more
Insect antennae

Article

Insect antennae

Imagine being able to smell your dinner from the other side of a sports field. Insects do this with the ...

Read more
Insects – physical characteristics

Article

Insects – physical characteristics

Insects can be large – like the 130 mm wingspan of the kapokapowai/bush giant dragonfly – or tiny – like ...

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato