pupa
Americannoun
noun
-
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of pupa
1765–70; < New Latin, special use of Latin pūpa girl, doll, puppet. See pupil 1, puppet
Explanation
A pupa is an immature insect, in the stage of development just before adulthood. A butterfly or moth pupa is known as a "chrysalis." Some kinds of insects go through dramatic, distinct stages as they grow, otherwise known as metamorphosis. For these insects, the egg and larval stages are followed by a period of time as a pupa that can last weeks, or even years, depending on the insect species and what the temperature is. At the end of their time as a pupa, insects break open their shell or case and emerge, fully grown.
Vocabulary lists containing pupa
Growth, Development and Reproduction of Organisms - Middle School
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Growth, Development and Reproduction of Organisms - Introductory
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Growth, Development and Reproduction of Organisms - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This treatment kills the pathogens growing inside the pupa but also results in the pupa's death.
From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025
The black dots are larval tracks pushing into an oak, while the white object is a pupa preparing to become an adult.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2024
One of the genes they've edited is a key regulator of molting from larva to pupa, which, when tweaked, yields larvae 50 percent larger than an unedited one.
From Scientific American • Aug. 28, 2023
Then she had isolated each pupa into a tiny, dry test tube.
From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2022
Once full-size, the caterpillar searches for a safe place to anchor and enter the pupa stage.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
