What stage comes after the larval stage in an insect's life cycle?

The stage that comes after the larval stage in an insect's life cycle is the pupa stage. During this phase, the insect undergoes significant transformations as it prepares to emerge as an adult. This process, known as metamorphosis, involves the larvae forming a protective case or cocoon, where they will develop into their adult form.

In this stage, the insect does not feed and is often inactive, focusing instead on the internal changes that will allow it to emerge as a fully formed adult. Understanding this sequence is crucial in pest management, as the vulnerable stages of an insect's life cycle can inform control strategies. Other stages, like egg and adult, do not immediately follow the larval stage, and thus do not represent the next step in the typical developmental process of insects.