Amateur
Entomologists'
Society

Zoea

Zoea are the free swimming larvae of aquatic decapod crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters. Zoea swim using thoracic appendages and this differentiates them from earlier and later larval forms of the same species.

Zoea form a large and important component of plankton.

A photograph of the zoea of _Homarus gammarus_.

A photograph of the zoea of Homarus gammarus.
Photograph by Hans Hillewaert licensed under Creative Commons.

Other names for (or types of) Zoea include:

Related terms

Related groups of terms

Related pages on this web site

See other words beginning with Z

Browse terms by A-Z

Back to Glossary

If you have found this glossary useful please consider supporting the Amateur Entomologists' Society by becoming a member or making a donation.