exuviate
Cast off covering
Exuviate means to shed or cast off an outer covering, such as skin, shell, or exoskeleton.
The term applies primarily to animals that molt, including snakes, insects, and crustaceans.
The cicada exuviates, leaving behind a perfect hollow shell clinging to the tree bark.
The related noun exuviae refers to the cast-off covering itself.
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- larvaImmature feeding stage
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- imagoInsect's final form
emergence · pupation · lepidoptera · morphogenesis · instar · nymph · metamorphose
Losing outer covering
- sloughingDiscarding dead outer layers
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- moultPeriodic shedding of covering
- peelingComing off in strips
exfoliation · flaking · castoff · carapace · exoskeleton · chitin · cuticle · integument
Biological self-repair process
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
- transformationThorough change in form
- discardingRemoving what's unwanted
release · liberation · unburdening · renewal · reinvention · emergence
Droning winged insects
- snakesElongated limbless reptiles
- lizardsSmall scaly reptiles
- tarantulasLarge hairy spiders
- crustaceansExoskeleton-bearing aquatic arthropods
arthropods · insects · serpents · lobsters · crabs · scorpions · centipedes · caterpillars
Progress toward maturity
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- progressionSequential forward movement
- outgrowingBecoming too large for
- expansionIncrease in scope
enlargement · developmental · maturing · advancing · transitioning · emerging · becoming
chrysalis
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
imago · emergence · pupation · lepidoptera · morphogenesis · instar · nymph · metamorphose
shedding
Losing outer covering
- sloughingDiscarding dead outer layers
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- moultPeriodic shedding of covering
peeling · exfoliation · flaking · castoff · carapace · exoskeleton · chitin · cuticle · integument · instar
regeneration
Biological self-repair process
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
- transformationThorough change in form
discarding · release · liberation · unburdening · renewal · reinvention · emergence
cicadas
Droning winged insects
- snakesElongated limbless reptiles
- lizardsSmall scaly reptiles
- tarantulasLarge hairy spiders
crustaceans · arthropods · insects · serpents · lobsters · crabs · scorpions · centipedes · caterpillars · beetles
development
Progress toward maturity
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- progressionSequential forward movement
- outgrowingBecoming too large for
expansion · enlargement · developmental · maturing · advancing · transitioning · emerging · becoming