# Pupa

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Insect life stage

For other uses, see [Pupa (disambiguation)](/source/Pupa_(disambiguation)).

For other uses, see [Chrysalis (disambiguation)](/source/Chrysalis_(disambiguation)).

Pupa of the rose chafer beetle, *[Cetonia aurata](/source/Cetonia_aurata)*

Tumbler (pupa) of a mosquito. Unlike most pupae, tumblers can swim around actively.

A **pupa** (from [Latin](/source/Latin_language) *pupa* 'doll'; pl.: **pupae**) is the [life stage](/source/Biological_life_cycle) of [insects](/source/Insect) from the [Holometabola](/source/Holometabola) [clade](/source/Clade) undergoing [metamorphosis](/source/Metamorphosis) between immature and mature stages. Insects that go through a pupal stage are [holometabolous](/source/Holometabolous): they go through four distinct stages in their life cycle, the stages thereof being [egg](/source/Egg), [larva](/source/Larva), pupa and [imago](/source/Imago) ([adult](/source/Adult)). The processes of entering and completing the pupal stage are controlled by the insect's hormones, especially [juvenile hormone](/source/Juvenile_hormone), [prothoracicotropic hormone](/source/Prothoracicotropic_hormone), and [ecdysone](/source/Ecdysone). The act of becoming a pupa is called **pupation**, and the act of emerging from the pupal case is called **eclosion** or emergence.

The pupae of different groups of insects have different names such as *[chrysalis](#Chrysalis)* for the pupae of [butterflies](/source/Butterflies) and *tumbler* for those of the [mosquito](/source/Mosquito) family. Unlike the fully [motile](/source/Motile) larval and imago stages, the pupal stage of an insect is typically [sessile](/source/Sessility_(motility)), where the pupa remains anchored to a location until the metamorphosis is completed, and may be enclosed in protective structures such as [cocoons](#Cocoon), [nests](/source/Nest) or [shells](/source/Exoskeleton).[1]

## Position in life cycle

The pupal stage follows the [larval](/source/Larva) stage, or in some cases a [prepupal](/source/Prepupa) stage, and precedes [adulthood](/source/Adult) (*[imago](/source/Imago)*) in insects with complete metamorphosis. The pupa is a non-feeding, usually [sessile](/source/Sessility_(zoology)) stage, or highly active as in mosquitoes. It is during the pupal stage that the adult structures of the insect are formed while the larval structures are broken down. The adult structures grow from [imaginal discs](/source/Imaginal_disc).[2] Contrary to popular belief, larvae do not completely liquify inside the cocoon.[3]

### Duration

The pupal stage may last weeks, months, or even years, depending on temperature and the species of insect.[4][5] For example, the pupal stage lasts eight to fifteen days in [monarch butterflies](/source/Monarch_butterflies).[6] The pupa may enter [dormancy](/source/Dormancy) or [diapause](/source/Diapause) until the appropriate season to emerge as an adult insect. In [temperate](/source/Temperate) climates pupae usually stay dormant during winter, while in the [tropics](/source/Tropics) pupae usually do so during the [dry season](/source/Dry_season).

Adult *[Hercus fontinalis](/source/Hercus_fontinalis),* a species of parasitoid wasp, emerging from cocoon

Eclosion of an African swallowtail butterfly (*[Papilio dardanus](/source/Papilio_dardanus))*

### Emergence

Insects emerge (eclose) from pupae by splitting the pupal case. Most butterflies emerge in the morning. In mosquitoes, the emergence is in the evening or night. In fleas, the process is triggered by vibrations that indicate the possible presence of a suitable host.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Prior to emergence, the adult inside the pupal [exoskeleton](/source/Exoskeleton) is termed *pharate*. Once the pharate adult has eclosed from the pupa, the empty pupal exoskeleton is called an *[exuvia](/source/Exuvia)*; in most [hymenopterans](/source/Hymenopteran) (ants, bees and wasps) the exuvia is so thin and membranous that it becomes "crumpled" as it is shed. Measuring the timing of this emergence is of interest to chronobiologists because the process is regulated by [circadian clocks](/source/Circadian_clock) in many species, necessitating different [assays](/source/Eclosion_assay) to measure eclosion timing.

### Pupal mating

Male mottled emigrant butterfly (*[Catopsilia pyranthe](/source/Catopsilia_pyranthe))* mating with newly emerged female

In a few taxa of the Lepidoptera, especially *[Heliconius](/source/Heliconius)*, pupal mating is an extreme form of reproductive strategy in which the adult male mates with a female pupa about to emerge, or with the newly moulted female; this is accompanied by other actions such as capping of the reproductive system of the female with the [sphragis](/source/Mating_plug), denying access to other males, or by exuding an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone.[7][8]

## Defense

Pupae are usually immobile and are largely defenseless. To overcome this, pupae often are covered with a cocoon, conceal themselves in the environment, or form underground.[9] Some species of [Lycaenid butterflies](/source/Lycaenidae) are protected in their pupal stage by ants. Another means of defense by pupae of other species is the capability of making sounds or vibrations to scare potential predators. A few species use chemical defenses including toxic secretions. The pupae of social [hymenopterans](/source/Hymenoptera) are protected by adult members of the hive.

## Types

Based on the presence or absence of articulated [mandibles](/source/Mandible) that are employed in emerging from a cocoon or pupal case, the pupae can be classified in to two types:[10]

- **Decticous pupa** – a pupa with articulated mandibles. Examples are pupae of the orders [Neuroptera](/source/Neuroptera), [Mecoptera](/source/Mecoptera), [Trichoptera](/source/Trichoptera) and few [Lepidoptera](/source/Lepidoptera) families.

- **Adecticous pupa** – a pupa without articulated mandibles. Examples include the orders [Strepsiptera](/source/Strepsiptera), [Coleoptera](/source/Coleoptera), [Hymenoptera](/source/Hymenoptera), [Diptera](/source/Diptera) and [Siphonaptera](/source/Siphonaptera).

Based on whether the pupal appendages are free or attached to the body, the pupae can be classified as one of three types:

- **Exarate pupa** – appendages are free and are not usually encapsulated within a cocoon. Decticous pupae are always exarate; some adecticous pupae are as well. (Neuroptera, Trichoptera, [Cyclorrhapha](/source/Cyclorrhapha) of Dipterans, Siphonaptera, most Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and few Lepidoptera).

- **Obtect pupa** – appendages are attached closely to the body and are commonly encapsulated within a cocoon. Some adecticous pupa are obtect forms. (Most Lepidoptera, [Nematocera](/source/Nematocera) and [Brachycera](/source/Brachycera) of Dipterans, [Staphylinidae](/source/Staphylinidae) and [Chrysomelidae](/source/Chrysomelidae) Coleopterans, many [Chalcidoidea](/source/Chalcidoidea) Hymenopterans)

- **Coarctate pupa** – enclosed in a hardened cuticle of the penultimate larval instar called a puparium. However, the pupa itself is of the exarate adecticous pupal form. (Cyclorrhapha of Dipterans).

## Chrysalis

"Chrysalis" redirects here. For other uses, see [Chrysalis (disambiguation)](/source/Chrysalis_(disambiguation)).

Common crow butterfly (*[Euploea core](/source/Euploea_core)*) chrysalis illustrating the [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek_language) origin of the term: χρυσός (*chrysós*) for gold

A chrysalis ([Latin](/source/Latin_language): *chrysallis*, from [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek_language): χρυσαλλίς, *chrysallís*, plural: *chrysalides*, also known as an *aurelia*) or nympha is the pupal stage of [butterflies](/source/Butterflies). The term is derived from the metallic–gold coloration found in the pupae of many butterflies, referred to by the Ancient Greek term χρυσός (*chrysós*) for gold.

When the caterpillar is fully grown, it makes a button of silk which it uses to fasten its body to a leaf or a twig. Then the caterpillar's skin comes off for the final time. Under this old skin is a hard skin called a chrysalis.[11]

Because chrysalises are often showy and are formed in the open, they are the most familiar examples of pupae. Most chrysalides are attached to a surface by a [touch fastener](/source/Hook_and_loop_fastener)-like arrangement of a [silken](/source/Silk) pad spun by the [caterpillar](/source/Caterpillar), usually cemented to the underside of a perch, and the *cremastral* hook or hooks protruding from the rear of the chrysalis or *cremaster* at the tip of the pupal [abdomen](/source/Abdomen) by which the caterpillar fixes itself to the pad of silk. (Gr. *kremastos* 'suspended')[12]

Like other types of pupae, the chrysalis stage in most butterflies is one in which there is little movement. However, some butterfly pupae are capable of moving the abdominal segments to produce sounds or to scare away potential [predators](/source/Predator). Within the chrysalis, growth and differentiation occur.[13] The adult butterfly emerges (ecloses) from this and expands its wings by pumping [haemolymph](/source/Haemolymph) into the wing veins.[14] Although this sudden and rapid change from pupa to imago is often called [metamorphosis](/source/Metamorphosis), metamorphosis is really the whole series of changes that an insect undergoes from egg to adult.

When emerging, the butterfly uses a liquid, sometimes called [cocoonase](/source/Cocoonase), which softens the shell of the chrysalis. Additionally, it uses two sharp claws located on the thick joints at the base of the forewings to help make its way out.[15] Having emerged from the chrysalis, the butterfly will usually sit on the empty shell in order to expand and harden its wings. However, if the chrysalis was near the ground (such as if it fell off from its silk pad), the butterfly would find another vertical surface to rest upon and harden its wings (such as a wall or fence).

[Moth](/source/Moth) pupae are usually dark in color and either formed in underground cells, loose in the soil, or their pupa is contained in a protective [silk](/source/Silk) case called a *cocoon*. The pupa of some species such as the [hornet moth](/source/Hornet_moth) develops sharp ridges around the outside called adminicula that allow the pupa to move from its place of concealment inside a tree trunk when it is time for the adult to emerge.[16]

Pupa, chrysalis, and cocoon are frequently confused, but are quite distinct from each other. The pupa is the stage between the larva and adult stages. The chrysalis generally refers to a butterfly pupa although the term may be misleading as there are some moths whose pupae resembles a chrysalis, e.g.: the plume winged moths of the family [Pterophoridae](/source/Pterophoridae) and some [geometrid](/source/Geometrid) moths. A cocoon is a silk case that the larvae of moths, and sometimes other insects, spin around the pupa.

## Cocoon

For other uses, see [Cocoon (disambiguation)](/source/Cocoon_(disambiguation)).

A cocoon is a casing spun of [silk](/source/Silk) by many [moths](/source/Moth) and [caterpillars](/source/Caterpillar),[17] and numerous other [holometabolous](/source/Holometabolous) insect [larvae](/source/Larva) as a protective covering for the pupa.

Cocoons may be tough or soft, opaque or translucent, solid or meshlike, of various colors, or composed of multiple layers, depending on the type of insect larva producing it. Many moth caterpillars shed the larval hairs ([setae](/source/Seta)) and incorporate them into the cocoon; if these are [urticating hairs](/source/Urticating_hair) then the cocoon is also irritating to the touch. Some larvae attach small twigs, fecal pellets or pieces of vegetation to the outside of their cocoon in an attempt to disguise it from predators. Others spin their cocoon in a concealed location—on the underside of a leaf, in a crevice, down near the base of a tree trunk, suspended from a twig or concealed in the [leaf litter](/source/Leaf_litter).[18]

The tough brown cocoon of an [emperor gum moth](/source/Opodiphthera_eucalypti)

The silk in the cocoon of the [silk moth](/source/Bombyx_mori) can be unraveled to harvest silk fibre which makes this moth the most economically important of all lepidopterans. The silk moth is the only completely domesticated lepidopteran; it does not exist in the wild.

Insects that pupate in a cocoon must escape from it, and they do this either by the adult cutting its way out, or by secreting [enzymes](/source/Enzyme), sometimes called [cocoonase](/source/Cocoonase), that soften the cocoon. Some cocoons are constructed with built-in lines of weakness along which they will tear easily from inside, or with exit holes that only allow a one-way passage out; such features facilitate the escape of the adult insect after it emerges from the pupal skin.

## Puparium

Puparium of *[Eupeodes americanus](/source/Eupeodes_americanus)*

Parasitoid wasp *[Xenomorphia resurrecta](/source/Xenomorphia)* inside a fossilized fly puparium, as revealed by [X-ray microtomography](/source/X-ray_microtomography)

Some pupae remain inside the exoskeleton of the final larval [instar](/source/Instar) and this last larval "shell" is called a puparium (plural, puparia). Flies of the group [Muscomorpha](/source/Muscomorpha) have puparia, as do members of the order [Strepsiptera](/source/Strepsiptera), and the [Hemipteran](/source/Hemiptera) family [Aleyrodidae](/source/Aleyrodidae).[19]

## Gallery

		- *[Rhynchophorus ferrugineus](/source/Rhynchophorus_ferrugineus)* pupa

		- Fruit fly (*[Drosophila melanogaster](/source/Drosophila_melanogaster)*) pupa

		- An [emperor gum moth](/source/Emperor_gum_moth) caterpillar spinning its cocoon

		- [Luna moth](/source/Actias_luna) cocoon and pupa

		- Assortment of luna moth cocoons

		- Luna moth emerging from pupa within [silk cocoon](/source/Silk_cocoon)

		- Luna moth pupa removed from cocoon

		- Chrysalis of [Gulf fritillary](/source/Gulf_fritillary)

		- Pupation of *[Aglais io](/source/Aglais_io)*

		- [Monarch butterfly](/source/Monarch_butterfly) chrysalis

		- Specimen of an eclosing *[Dryas iulia](/source/Dryas_iulia)* butterfly

		- Pupae of *[Japanagromyza inferna](/source/Japanagromyza_inferna)*, a [gall fly](/source/Gall_fly), in [gall](/source/Gall) of *[Centrosema virginianum](/source/Centrosema_virginianum)*

		- Pupa of [cabbage looper](/source/Cabbage_looper)

		- Pupa of baron butterfly *[Euthalia aconthea](/source/Euthalia_aconthea)*

		- *[Papilio polytes](/source/Papilio_polytes)* common Mormon pupa on curry leaves.

## See also

- [Bee brood](/source/Bee_brood)

- [Larva](/source/Larva)

- [Silk](/source/Silk)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Borror, D. J.; DeLong, Dwight M.; Triplehorn, Charles A. (2004). *Introduction to the Study of Insects* (Sixth ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-03-096835-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-03-096835-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AldazEscudero2010_2-0)** Aldaz, Silvia; Escudero, Luis M. (2010). ["Imaginal discs"](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cub.2010.03.010). *Current Biology*. **20** (10): R429–R431. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2010CBio...20.R429A](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010CBio...20.R429A). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cub.2010.03.010](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cub.2010.03.010). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [20504747](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20504747).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Guarino, Ben (September 19, 2017). ["Mutant butterflies reveal the genetic roots of colorful wings"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/09/19/mutant-butterflies-reveal-the-genetic-roots-of-colorful-wings/). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. Retrieved July 6, 2024.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Nielsen, Erik Tetens, and J. St Haeger. "Pupation and emergence in *Aedes taeniorhynchus* (Wied.)." *Bulletin of Entomological Research* 45.4 (1954): 757–768.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Elliott, J. M. "Temperature‐related fluctuations in the timing of emergence and pupation of Windermere alder‐flies over 30 years." *Ecological Entomology* 21.3 (1996): 241–247.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** University of Minnesota Extension, Monarch Lab. ["Monarch Life Cycle"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172311/https://monarchlab.org/biology-and-research/biology-and-natural-history/breeding-life-cycle/life-cycle/#pupa). Archived from [the original](https://monarchlab.org/biology-and-research/biology-and-natural-history/breeding-life-cycle/life-cycle/#pupa) on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Preston-Mafham_&_Preston-Mafham_(1993)_7-0)** Preston–Mafham, Rod; Preston–Mafham, Ken (1993). [*The Encyclopedia of Land Invertebrate Behaviour*](https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofla0000pres) (Illustrated ed.). MIT Press. p. [113](https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofla0000pres/page/113). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-262-16137-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-262-16137-4). Retrieved 16 November 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Boggs,_Watt_&_Ehrlich_(2003)_8-0)** Boggs, Carol L.; Watt, Ward B.; Ehrlich, Paul R. (2003). [*Butterflies: Ecology and Evolution Taking Flight*](https://books.google.com/books?id=KQkBqF3vQ8sC) (Illustrated ed.). University of Chicago Press. p. 739. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-226-06318-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-226-06318-8). Retrieved 16 November 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Chapman, R. F. (Reginald Frederick) (2013). *The insects : structure and function*. Cambridge University Press. p. 419. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-11389-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-11389-2). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [794624696](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/794624696).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Types of Pupa"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170204080242/http://www.agriinfo.in/default.aspx?page=topic&superid=6&topicid=1553). Agri Info. Archived from [the original](http://www.agriinfo.in/default.aspx?page=topic&superid=6&topicid=1553) on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Darby, Gene (1958). [*What is a Butterfly*](https://archive.org/details/whatisbutterfly00darb). Chicago: [Benefic Press](/source/Benefic_Press). p. [19](https://archive.org/details/whatisbutterfly00darb/page/19).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias"](http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/en_invertebrate_zoology/3481/cremaster). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130525045759/http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/en_invertebrate_zoology/3481/cremaster) from the original on 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2013-01-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lowe_13-0)** Lowe, Tristan; Garwood, Russell P.; Simonsen, Thomas; Bradley, Robert S.; Withers, Philip J. (2013). ["Metamorphosis revealed: three dimensional imaging inside a living chrysalis"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673169). *Journal of the Royal Society Interface*. **10** (84). 20130304. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1098/rsif.2013.0304](https://doi.org/10.1098%2Frsif.2013.0304). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3673169](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673169). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [23676900](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23676900).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [AMNH](http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/butterflies/highlights/metamorphosis.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061207003856/http://amnh.org/exhibitions/butterflies/highlights/metamorphosis.php) December 7, 2006, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Accessed December 2006

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [*The Entomologist*](https://archive.org/stream/entomologist351902brit/entomologist351902brit_djvu.txt)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Newland, D.E. "Eclosion mechanics, mating and ovipositing behaviour of *Sesia apiformis*". *Entomologist's Gazette*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Darby, Gene (1958). *What is a Butterfly*. Chicago: Benefic Press. p. 41.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Scoble, Malcolm J. (1992). [*The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity*](https://archive.org/details/lepidopteraformf0000scob). Oxford: Oxford University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-854031-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-854031-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Gullan, P. J.; Cranston, P. S. (2000). *The Insects: An Outline of Entomology* (2nd ed.). London: Blackwell. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-632-05343-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-632-05343-7).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Pupae](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pupae).

- [Pupa photos](http://insecta.pro/gallery?fem=5) plus species descriptions at *Insecta.pro*

- [Silk worm life cycle photos](https://archive.today/20121108172719/http://picasaweb.google.com/srither240255/CycleOfSilkworm) (archived 8 November 2012)

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