{{for|the genus of bee flies|Apolysis (fly)}} [[Image:Imperial moth 3rdinstar sjh.JPG|right|thumb|250px|''Eacles imperialis'' caterpillar undergoing apolysis]] '''Apolysis''' ({{langx|grc|ἀπόλυσις}} "discharge, lit. absolution") is the separation of the cuticle from the epidermis in arthropods and related groups (Ecdysozoa). Since the cuticle of these animals is also the skeletal support of the body and is inelastic, it is shed during growth and a new covering of larger dimensions is formed. During this process, an arthropod becomes dormant for a period of time. Enzymes are secreted to digest the inner layers of the existing cuticle, detaching the animal from the outer cuticle. This allows the new cuticle to develop without being exposed to the environmental elements.<ref name="McGavin 2001">{{cite book|last=McGavin|first=George C|title=Essential Entomology: An Order-by-Order Introduction|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=9780198500025|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/essentialentomol00mcga_0}}</ref><ref name="Triplehorn 2005">{{cite book|last=Triplehorn|first=Charles A|title=Borror and DeLong's introduction to the study of insects.|year=2005|publisher=Thomson, Brooks/Cole|location=Australia|isbn=9780030968358|edition=7th|author2=Johnson, Norman F}}</ref><ref name=Jurenka>{{cite journal |author=Jurenka, Russell |title=Insect Physiology |journal=Physiology and Maintenance |url=http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c03/E5-25-53-00.pdf }}</ref>
After apolysis, ecdysis occurs. Ecdysis is the actual emergence of the arthropod into the environment and always occurs directly after apolysis. The newly emerged animal then hardens and continues its life.
== References == {{reflist}} Category:Developmental biology