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.
Synonyms
- chrysalis
- larva
- nymph