plural pupae
ˈpyü-(ˌ)pē 
also -ˌpī
or pupas
: an intermediate usually quiescent stage of a metamorphic insect (such as a bee, moth, or beetle) that occurs between the larva and the imago, is usually enclosed in a cocoon or protective covering, and undergoes internal changes by which larval structures are replaced by those typical of the imago
Examples of pupa in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Periodic low-level fires spare the trees but kill a portion of the pests’ pupae buried in leaf litter and soil, preventing them from ruining the following year’s crop.
—
Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
These moth pupae overwinter in the soil, so tilling or aerating the soil with a garden fork prior to planting can help to expose them to predators (birds will appreciate the snack).
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2024
Some of the bones also had evidence of blowfly pupae, meaning the bones would have been defleshed before they were put in the ground as opposed to the entire body of the mammoth being left, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 June 2024
Larvae then transform into pupae, which swim to the surface and emerge as adult midges ready to mate.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pupa 
Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
These moth pupae overwinter in the soil, so tilling or aerating the soil with a garden fork prior to planting can help to expose them to predators (birds will appreciate the snack).
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2024
Some of the bones also had evidence of blowfly pupae, meaning the bones would have been defleshed before they were put in the ground as opposed to the entire body of the mammoth being left, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 June 2024
Larvae then transform into pupae, which swim to the surface and emerge as adult midges ready to mate.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pupa
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pupa.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Pupa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pupa. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pupa
noun
pu·pa
ˈpyü-pə
plural pupae
-pē
-ˌpī
or pupas
: a stage of an insect (as a bee, moth, or beetle) having complete metamorphosis that occurs between the larva and the adult, is usually enclosed in a cocoon or case, and goes through changes inside by which structures of the larva are replaced by those of the adult
Medical Definition
pupa
noun
pu·pa
ˈpyü-pə
: an intermediate usually quiescent stage of an insect that occurs between the larva and the imago in forms (as a bee, moth, or beetle) which undergo complete metamorphosis and that is characterized by internal changes by which larval structures are replaced by those typical of the imago
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