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pupa

[pyoo-puh]
noun, plural pu·pae [pyoo-pee] /ˈpyu pi/, pu·pas.
  1. an insect in the nonfeeding, usually immobile, transformation stage between the larva and the imago.

Origin of pupa

1765–70; < New Latin, special use of Latin pūpa girl, doll, puppet. See pupil1, puppet
Related formspu·pal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for pupa

pupa

noun plural -pae (-piː) or -pas
  1. an insect at the immobile nonfeeding stage of development between larva and adult, when many internal changes occurSee coarctate, exarate, obtect
Derived Formspupal, adjective

Word Origin for pupa

C19: via New Latin, from Latin: a doll, puppet
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for pupa
n.

"post-larval stage of an insect," 1773, special use by Linnæus (1758) of Latin pupa "girl, doll, puppet" (see pupil (n.1)) on notion of "undeveloped creature." Related: Pupal; pupiform.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
pupa in Science

pupa

[pyōō′pə]
Plural pupae (pyōō′pē)
  1. An insect in the nonfeeding stage of development between the larva and adult, during which it typically undergoes a complete transformation within a protective cocoon or hardened case. Only certain kinds of insects, such as moths, butterflies, ants, and beetles, develop as larvae and pupae. Compare imago larva nymph.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.