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
Examples of pupa in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rubinoff has already brought several into the lab, where the caterpillars can gorge themselves on Drosophila pupae with no fear of spiders interrupting the feast.
—
ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
The insect overwinters as a late-stage larvae or pupae in the top inch or two of soil.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
Additionally, females search for hosts (typically the pupae of bees and other wasps) and are more likely to encounter defending adults at nests.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The new species spends most of the year — roughly nine months — as pupae before emerging as adults, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for pupa
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
The insect overwinters as a late-stage larvae or pupae in the top inch or two of soil.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
Additionally, females search for hosts (typically the pupae of bees and other wasps) and are more likely to encounter defending adults at nests.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The new species spends most of the year — roughly nine months — as pupae before emerging as adults, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for pupa
Cite this Entry
“Pupa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pupa. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Medical Definition
pupa
noun
pu·pa
ˈpyü-pə
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share