pupate

[ pyoo-peyt ]

verb (used without object)

, pu·pat·ed, pu·pat·ing.

1. to become a pupa.

pupate

/ pjuːˈpeɪt /

verb

1. intr (of an insect larva) to develop into a pupa

Derived Forms

• puˈpation, noun

Other Words From

• pu·pation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pupate¹

First recorded in 1875–80; pup(a) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The infestation cycle continues when the maggots emerge 10 days later, drop from the fruit and burrow two to three centimeters into the dirt to pupate.

From Los Angeles Times

Warmer springs mean that caterpillars hatch, grow and pupate earlier compared with just a few decades ago.

From Science Daily

They’re growing out of a butterfly larva, now dead, that had buried itself in the soil to pupate.

From Seattle Times

The flies lay eggs on the lake surface, producing larvae that swim down to the microbialites, where they pupate before maturing into adults.

From Science Magazine

Like all beetles, the firefly cycles through a complete metamorphosis—hatching from its egg as a crawling larva before pupating into a mature adult.

From Science Magazine