pupa

noun

pu·​pa ˈpyü-pə 

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

pupal

ˈpyü-pəl 

adjective

Examples of pupa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inside this cocoon, the pupa transforms into an adult crane fly. —The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024

The larvae then spin cocoons and develop into pupae before emerging as adult fleas. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023

Caterpillars are cute and butterflies are beautiful, but nobody wants to hang out with a pupa. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024

National Plant a Flower Day: Don't use insecticides According to Monarch Joint Venture's website, an organization that aims to conserve monarch butterflies, loss of milkweed increases the risk of monarch eggs, larvae and pupae being exposed and killed by insecticides. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024

So far, scientists have released 1,200 pupae at seven sites. —Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Jan. 2024

Mosquito pupae mill about inside a shallow tray full of water. —Stephanie Nolen and Eleanor Lutz. Photography and Video By Federico Rios Escobar For The New York Times. Eleanor Lutz, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023

But as larvae and pupae, these mosquitoes love living in very polluted environments, like septic water, retention and detention ponds, and anywhere with sewer runoff. —Ritu Prasad, CNN, 12 Sep. 2023

Mosquitoes tend to reside close to standing water, where their larvae and pupae develop. —USA TODAY, 29 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin pupa doll

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pupa

• pre-pupa

Kids 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

pupal

ˈpyü-pəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

pupa

noun

pu·​pa ˈpyü-pə 

plural pupae -(ˌ)pē  -ˌpī  or pupas

: 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

pupal

ˈpyü-pəl 

adjective