Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pupa

noun

/ˈpjuː.pə/

Definition

The life stage of an insect undergoing transformation, occurring between the larval stage and adulthood.

Examples

The caterpillar turned into a pupa before emerging as a butterfly.
Beetles spend a significant amount of time in the pupa stage at various temperatures.

Meaning

Insects undergo a metamorphosis in which they change from a larva into an adult. The pupa stage is a transformative phase where the organism is often encased in a protective shell.