Pupa

A pupa (from Latin pupa 'doll'; pl.: pupae) is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation between immature and mature stages. Insects that go through a pupal stage are holometabolous: they go through four distinct stages in their life cycle, the stages thereof being egg, larva, pupa, and imago. The processes of entering and completing the pupal stage are controlled by the insect's hormones, especially juvenile hormone, prothoracicotropic hormone, and ecdysone. The act of becoming a pupa is called pupation, and the act of emerging from the pupal case is called eclosion or emergence.

For other uses, see Pupa (disambiguation).

The pupae of different groups of insects have different names such as chrysalis for the pupae of butterflies and tumbler for those of the mosquito family. Pupae may further be enclosed in other structures such as cocoons, nests, or shells.^[1]

Defense[edit]

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.^[8] Some species of Lycaenid butterflies 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 are protected by adult members of the hive.

Decticous pupa – a pupa with articulated mandibles. Examples are pupae of the orders , Mecoptera, Trichoptera and few Lepidoptera families.

Neuroptera

Adecticous pupa – a pupa without articulated mandibles. Examples include the orders , Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Siphonaptera.

Strepsiptera

Based on the presence or absence of articulated mandibles that are employed in emerging from a cocoon or pupal case, the pupae can be classified in to two types:^[9]

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