pupa

[ pyoo-puh ]

noun

, plural pu·pae [pyoo, -pee], pu·pas.

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

pupa

/ 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

pupa

/ pyo̅o̅′pə /

, Plural pupae pyo̅o̅′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.
2. Compare imago

Derived Forms

• ˈpupal, adjective

Other Words From

• pupal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pupa¹

1765–70; < New Latin, special use of Latin pūpa girl, doll, puppet. See pupil ¹, puppet

Word History and Origins

Origin of pupa¹

C19: via New Latin, from Latin: a doll, puppet

Example Sentences

The biggest challenge was the silkworm pupa, which was large and segmented and just looked so … insecty.

From Science News

In their wild journeyings on and on before spinning the pupa shroud, they fall victims in attempting to cross streams.

From Project Gutenberg

The pupa, distinguished by a large thoracic region, breathes through a pair of tubes on the thorax.

From Project Gutenberg

Pupa (Abida) secale is named from the Latin for rye, a grain of which the shell more or less resembles.

From Project Gutenberg

The larva and the active pupa or nymph are aquatic and are predaceous, as is also the adult.

From Project Gutenberg

There is even one tribe of insects which presents the strange anomaly of being born in the pupa state.

From Project Gutenberg