larva-tending
|lar-va-tend-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈlɑɹvəˌtɛndɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈlɑːvəˌtendɪŋ/
(larva-tend)
care for larvae
Etymology
'larva-tending' is a compound formed from 'larva' and the present-participle of 'tend'. 'Larva' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'larva', where 'larva' originally meant 'ghost' or 'mask' and later came to be used in biology for an immature animal form. 'Tend' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'tendere', where 'tendere' meant 'to stretch' and through Old French and Middle English developed senses including 'to care for' or 'to look after'.
'larva' entered scientific English in the 18th century from Latin 'larva' (via Neo-Latin) with the specialized biological meaning 'immature stage of an animal'. 'Tend' came into English earlier from Old French/Middle English forms of Latin 'tendere'. The compound 'larva-tending' is a modern English formation used in entomology and behavioral ecology to describe caring behaviors directed at larvae.
Initially, 'larva' meant 'ghost' or 'mask' in Latin and 'tendere' meant 'to stretch' in Latin; over time 'larva' specialized to mean the immature stage of certain animals, and 'tend' acquired the sense 'to look after' or 'to care for'. The compound now specifically denotes care for larvae.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or behavior of tending larvae; brood-care activities directed at immature stages of insects or other animals.
Larva-tending is a key component of social insect colony dynamics and affects survival rates of the young.
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Adjective 1
tending, caring for, or associated with the care of larvae (for example, behaviors or structures used to feed, clean, or protect immature insect stages).
The ant workers displayed intensive larva-tending during the rainy season to ensure brood survival.
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Last updated: 2025/10/12 20:54