cocoons
Larval transformation chambers
Cocoons are the protective silk casings that caterpillars spin around themselves during metamorphosis into moths or butterflies.
The word extends to any snug, protective wrapping: She cocoons herself in blankets.
To cocoon is to wrap protectively or to withdraw into sheltered domesticity: We spent the winter cocooning at home.
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
emergence · transformation · pupation · larva · instar · molting · imago · life cycle
Morus tree fruit
- silkwormMoth larva yielding fiber
- filamentVery thin thread
- threadFiber for stitching
- spinningRevolving around an axis
fiber · spinneret · reeling · harvesting · boiling · unwinding · raw silk · textile
Act of taking away
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- solitudeState of being alone
hiding · shutting out · incubation · privacy · self-protection · shielding · burrowing · introspection
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- emergenceComing into existence
- becomingAttractive or appropriate
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- changeTo make different
renewal · growth · awakening · transition · development · evolution · unfolding · breaking free
Outer covering material
- encasingSurrounding with material
- swaddlingWrapping babies snugly
- blanketSoft bed covering
- bundlingGrouping items as one
nestling · enveloping · protection · snugness · warmth · insulation · padding · cushioning
chrysalis
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
moth · emergence · transformation · pupation · larva · instar · molting · imago · life cycle · hatching
mulberry
Morus tree fruit
spinning · fiber · spinneret · reeling · harvesting · boiling · unwinding · raw silk · textile · weaving
withdrawal
Act of taking away
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
solitude · hiding · shutting out · incubation · privacy · self-protection · shielding · burrowing · introspection · detachment
rebirth
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- emergenceComing into existence
- becomingAttractive or appropriate
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
change · renewal · growth · awakening · transition · development · evolution · unfolding · breaking free · new beginning
wrapping
Outer covering material
bundling · nestling · enveloping · protection · snugness · warmth · insulation · padding · cushioning · coziness
- Lepidopterabutterflies, moths, monarch, chrysalis, swallowtail
- larvaelarvae, larva, caterpillar, caterpillars, maggot
- Silk Historysilk road, silk worms, mulberry, Chinese silk, silk trade
- sericulturesilkworms, silkworm, mulberry, silk moth, silk production
- animal homesnest, den, burrow, hive, lair
- enclosesencloses, surrounds, encircles, encompasses, contains
cocoonsimagoes
Final insect forms
butterflies · moths · larvae · caterpillars · imago
cocoonsexposed
Out in open
open air · unprotected · bare · uncovered · vulnerable
- silk cocoonLarva's protective fiber shell
- in a cocoon
- soft cocoon