pupating
Becoming a butterfly
Pupating is the process of becoming a pupa—the intermediate stage between larva and adult in insects that undergo complete metamorphosis.
During pupation, a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, a maggot into a fly.
The larva typically encases itself in a cocoon or chrysalis while its body reorganizes: The caterpillars are pupating and should emerge as moths within two weeks.
Immature feeding stage
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- moltShed outer covering
- growthIncrease in size
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
stage · juvenile · emerge · imago · adult · exuviate · shedding · diapause
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- silkwormMoth larva yielding fiber
- silkFine woven insect fiber
- encasementProtective outer shell
- spinneretSilk-producing appendage
protein · nylon · hibernaculum · spinning · webbing · shelter
Butterfly and moth order
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- insectSix-legged invertebrate
- nymphNature spirit or larva
silkworm · beetle · fly · wasp · ant · bee · insectarium · rearing
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- transformationThorough change in form
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
- reorganizationChanging how something's arranged
larva
Immature feeding stage
maturation · stage · juvenile · emerge · imago · adult · exuviate · shedding · diapause · dormancy
chrysalis
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- silkwormMoth larva yielding fiber
- silkFine woven insect fiber
- encasementProtective outer shell
spinneret · protein · nylon · hibernaculum · spinning · webbing · shelter
lepidoptera
Butterfly and moth order
nymph · silkworm · beetle · fly · wasp · ant · bee · insectarium · rearing · entomologist
chrysalis
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- transformationThorough change in form
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
- reorganizationChanging how something's arranged
- insect behaviorsforaging, mating, flight, flying, crawling
- instinctsinstinct, survival instinct, survival instincts, maternal instinct, gut instinct
- pest behaviorbiting, chewing, gnawing, burrowing, infesting
- fertility statesfertile, infertile, sterile, barren, fecund