instar

¹

[in-stahr]

noun

1. an insect in any one of its periods of postembryonic growth between molts.

instar

²

[in-stahr]

verb (used with object)

instarred, instarring 

1. to set with or as if with stars.

2. Archaic.

   1. to place as a star.

   2. to make a star of.

instar

/ ˈɪnstɑː /

noun

1. the stage in the development of an insect between any two moults

Word History and Origins

Origin of instar¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from New Latin, Latin īnstar “counterpart, equivalent”

Origin of instar²

First recorded in 1585–95; in- ¹ + star

Word History and Origins

Origin of instar¹

C19: New Latin from Latin: image

Example Sentences

All the other planthoppers wait until their fifth instar before transforming.

Read more on National Geographic

Unlike the day-feeding, younger instars, those in the last two stages feed at night, crawling down into bark crevices or leaf litter to hide during daylight, presumably to avoid predation.

Read more on Seattle Times

In later instars some of these caterpillars step up their powers of illusion, taking on the look of a snake's face.

Read more on National Geographic

The young caterpillars go through five series of molts and instars over a period of 10 to 14 days before forming their chrysalis and transforming within it for seven to 10 days.

Read more on Washington Times

When looking at a sample, this takes most of the guesswork out of deciding which instar you are dealing with, whether any are missing and how many a particular species might have.

Read more on Nature