What is the larval stage in the life cycle of insects with complete metamorphosis?

The larval stage in the life cycle of insects with complete metamorphosis is correctly identified as the pupa.

Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis have a life cycle that consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. After the egg hatches, the larval stage begins, where the insect grows and feeds. This is a critical growth phase, wherein the insect often appears drastically different from its adult form. Once the larval stage is complete, the insect transitions into the pupa stage, where it undergoes significant transformation and development inside a protective casing. This transition is crucial, as it is during the pupal stage that the insect’s body is restructured to morph into its eventual adult form.

This process differs significantly from other life cycles such as those involving incomplete metamorphosis, where the stages do not include a distinct pupa phase, thus highlighting the uniqueness of complete metamorphosis and reinforcing the importance of the pupa in the overall life cycle of these insects.