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DictionarypupaDeveloping insect
noun

pupa

PYOO-puh/ˈpjuːpə/

An insect in the stage between larva and adult.

The pupa hangs beneath the twig.

A realistic butterfly chrysalis attached beneath twig, clearly pupal stage not a caterpillar or adult butterfly.
Etymology
pupaLatingirl, doll

Latin pupa meant ‘girl’ or ‘doll.’ Its application to the insect stage rested on the idea of an undeveloped creature, not yet in its adult form.

In context

It's AumSum Time2:52
It then forms a protective layer around itself. This stage is called chrysalis. In this stage, the caterpillar is now called pupa.
From Caterpillar to Butterfly | #aumsum #kids #science #education #whatif

More examples

  • The pupa remained attached to the stem.
  • Several pupae were kept under observation.
  • The adult insect emerged from the pupa.

Forms

pupa · pupae

Similar words

larva
The larva is the earlier feeding stage; the pupa develops between larva and adult.
chrysalis
A chrysalis is a butterfly pupa; pupa applies to more kinds of insects.