pupa

American  

[pyoo-puh] / ˈpyu pə /

noun

plural

pupae, pupas

1. an insect in the nonfeeding, usually immobile, transformation stage between the larva and the imago.

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pupa British  

/ ˈpjuːpə /

noun

1. an insect at the immobile nonfeeding stage of development between larva and adult, when many internal changes occur See coarctate exarate obtect

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pupa Scientific  

/ pyo̅o̅′pə /

plural

pupae

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.

2. Compare imago larva nymph

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Other Word Forms

• pupal adjective

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.

Example Sentences

This treatment kills the pathogens growing inside the pupa but also results in the pupa's death.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

When a caterpillar finally encases itself into a pupa, it doesn’t just grow wings and emerge as a butterfly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2023

We are the gaping entomologist; we are the pupa, always a little stuck.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2023

Then they saw a midge pupa, with its wings developed but not quite ready to fly.

From Scientific American • Dec. 20, 2022

As Maria discovered, all butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis, which means they move through four very different phases: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman