Entomology

Pupa

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Definition

The non-feeding stage between larva and adult in insects undergoing complete metamorphosis, during which tissues are reorganized.

Detailed Explanation

During pupation, most larval tissues are broken down by enzymes into cellular soup and rebuilt according to the adult body plan encoded in imaginal discs — clusters of cells set aside during embryogenesis. Some memories and learned behaviors can persist through metamorphosis, suggesting neural continuity despite massive reorganization. The pupa is often cryptically colored for camouflage, as it is entirely immobile and vulnerable to predation.

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