[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":509},["ShallowReactive",2],{"glossary_en:\u002Fslovar\u002Fkukolka":3,"alt-locale:glossary_en:\u002Fslovar\u002Fkukolka":294,"section-listing:disabled":318,"related-covers:en:":319,"section-listing:glossary_en:\u002Fslovar":320,"related-covers:en:\u002Fslovar\u002Fmetamorfoz|\u002Fslovar\u002Fimago|\u002Fslovar\u002Fgolometaboliya|\u002Fentsiklopediya\u002Fzhiznennyj-tsikl":503},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"coverImage":288,"description":289,"extension":290,"faq":291,"imagePrompt":292,"meta":293,"navigation":294,"order":291,"pageType":295,"path":296,"publishedAt":297,"readingMinutes":298,"relatedLinks":299,"seo":312,"sitemap":315,"stem":316,"tags":291,"updatedAt":291,"__hash__":317},"glossary_en\u002Fslovar\u002Fkukolka.md","Pupa",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":277},"minimark",[9,14,37,49,53,60,66,72,75,79,86,89,105,111,114,118,125,153,157,160,204,211,215,218,223,237,244,248,251,265,268],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"definition","Definition",[15,16,17,18,22,23,28,29,31,32,36],"p",{},"The ",[19,20,21],"strong",{},"pupa"," is the third stage of ",[24,25,27],"a",{"href":26},"\u002Fen\u002Fslovar\u002Fmetamorfoz","complete metamorphosis",": egg → caterpillar → ",[19,30,21],{}," → ",[24,33,35],{"href":34},"\u002Fen\u002Fslovar\u002Fimago","imago",". It is the transitional phase in which the larva (caterpillar) becomes an adult insect.",[15,38,39,40,43,44,48],{},"The word “pupa” is related to “puppet”: the immobile, wrapped form reminded people of a cloth doll swaddled in fabric. In scientific literature, butterfly pupae are also called ",[19,41,42],{},"chrysalises"," (from Greek ",[45,46,47],"em",{},"chrysos"," — gold) — for the golden spots on pupae of some species.",[10,50,52],{"id":51},"what-happens-inside-the-pupa","What happens inside the pupa",[15,54,55,56,59],{},"Outwardly the pupa seems inert. Inside, one of the most complex biological processes occurs — ",[19,57,58],{},"histolysis and histogenesis",".",[15,61,62,65],{},[19,63,64],{},"Histolysis"," — dissolution of caterpillar tissues. Most larval organs are literally broken down by special enzymes into a nutrient “broth.”",[15,67,68,71],{},[19,69,70],{},"Histogenesis"," — building imago tissues from so-called imaginal discs: small groups of cells that lay dormant in the caterpillar body from the start. From these discs form wings, legs, eyes, antennae, and other organs of the adult butterfly.",[15,73,74],{},"The result: one living system is rebuilt into another — without a scaffold, without intermediate forms, from scratch.",[10,76,78],{"id":77},"how-a-caterpillar-pupates","How a caterpillar pupates",[15,80,81,82,85],{},"Before pupation the caterpillar finds a suitable place, stops eating, and ",[19,83,84],{},"empties the gut",". Then it attaches to the chosen surface.",[15,87,88],{},"Most day-flying butterflies use two attachment methods:",[15,90,91,94,95,99,100,104],{},[19,92,93],{},"Girdled pupae"," (girdle + cremaster). The caterpillar spins a silk girdle across the body and attaches the tail end to the surface with a hook (cremaster). The pupa hangs vertically or at an angle. This is how large white, ",[24,96,98],{"href":97},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fparusniki","swallowtails",", and many ",[24,101,103],{"href":102},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy","nymphalids"," attach.",[15,106,107,110],{},[19,108,109],{},"Suspended pupae"," (cremaster only). The caterpillar attaches by the tail head-down and hangs without a girdle. Typical of most nymphalids — small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral.",[15,112,113],{},"After attachment the caterpillar makes its last molt: the larval skin cracks and slips off, exposing the soft pupa. It hardens over several hours.",[10,115,117],{"id":116},"what-a-pupa-looks-like","What a pupa looks like",[15,119,120,121,124],{},"Shape and color of pupae vary greatly among species. The general trend is ",[19,122,123],{},"cryptic coloration"," matching the pupation site.",[126,127,128,135,141,147],"ul",{},[129,130,131,134],"li",{},[19,132,133],{},"Large white"," pupa — green or gray-brown; color depends on surface (green on a green leaf, brown on brown wood).",[129,136,137,140],{},[19,138,139],{},"Swallowtail"," pupa — same ability: green on green background, brown on brown.",[129,142,143,144,146],{},"Pupae of some ",[19,145,103],{}," — with golden or silvery spots; their function is unclear, possibly attracting parasitoid wasps that remove infected individuals.",[129,148,149,152],{},[19,150,151],{},"Blue"," pupae — rounded, resembling bird droppings.",[10,154,156],{"id":155},"how-long-the-pupal-stage-lasts","How long the pupal stage lasts",[15,158,159],{},"Duration depends on species and conditions:",[161,162,163,176],"table",{},[164,165,166],"thead",{},[167,168,169,173],"tr",{},[170,171,172],"th",{},"Conditions",[170,174,175],{},"Duration",[177,178,179,188,196],"tbody",{},[167,180,181,185],{},[182,183,184],"td",{},"Summer generation (warm weather)",[182,186,187],{},"10–21 days",[167,189,190,193],{},[182,191,192],{},"Autumn generation, overwintering as pupa",[182,194,195],{},"5–8 months",[167,197,198,201],{},[182,199,200],{},"Mountain species in cold climate",[182,202,203],{},"Up to 10–11 months",[15,205,206,207,210],{},"Most species in Russia's temperate zone ",[19,208,209],{},"overwinter as pupae",": swallowtail, large white, scarce swallowtail. Pupae survive frost to about -20°C thanks to cryoprotectants — glycerol and trehalose.",[10,212,214],{"id":213},"pupa-and-cocoon-what-is-the-difference","Pupa and cocoon: what is the difference",[15,216,217],{},"Butterfly pupa and moth cocoon are often confused. They are different:",[15,219,220,222],{},[19,221,5],{}," (chrysalis) is the insect itself in the transformation stage. The pupal shell is the modified skin of the caterpillar, not a separate structure.",[15,224,225,228,229,232,233,236],{},[19,226,227],{},"Cocoon"," is a protective covering ",[19,230,231],{},"spun by the caterpillar"," from silk before pupation. The pupa is inside the cocoon. Cocoons are typical of nocturnal species (silkworms, hawk moths) and many other insect groups. Day-flying butterflies ",[19,234,235],{},"do not spin"," cocoons — their pupa is exposed.",[15,238,239,240,243],{},"The only exception among day-flying species — ",[19,241,242],{},"blues",": some spin loose silk “shirts,” though not a full cocoon.",[10,245,247],{"id":246},"where-to-find-pupae","Where to find pupae",[15,249,250],{},"To watch a butterfly emerge, look for pupae:",[126,252,253,256,259,262],{},[129,254,255],{},"On nettle stems — small tortoiseshell and peacock (August–September)",[129,257,258],{},"On fences and building walls — large white",[129,260,261],{},"On umbellifers and low shrubs — swallowtail",[129,263,264],{},"Under tree leaves — fritillaries",[15,266,267],{},"Collecting pupae for observation is acceptable (except protected species), but remember: pupae need a cool, humid place and must not be damaged.",[15,269,270,271,274,275,59],{},"The full cycle — in the article ",[24,272,273],{"href":26},"metamorphosis",". The next stage — in the article ",[24,276,35],{"href":34},{"title":278,"searchDepth":279,"depth":279,"links":280},"",2,[281,282,283,284,285,286,287],{"id":12,"depth":279,"text":13},{"id":51,"depth":279,"text":52},{"id":77,"depth":279,"text":78},{"id":116,"depth":279,"text":117},{"id":155,"depth":279,"text":156},{"id":213,"depth":279,"text":214},{"id":246,"depth":279,"text":247},"\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fkukolka.jpg","The pupa is the third stage of complete metamorphosis, when the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly — outwardly still, but rebuilding within.","md",null,"Photorealistic macro photo, Papilio machaon chrysalis attached to twig — green chrysalis with gold metallic spots, slightly translucent showing developing wings inside, natural outdoor background, scientific beauty, 16:9",{},true,"glossary","\u002Fslovar\u002Fkukolka","01.05.2026",1,[300,303,306,309],{"label":301,"path":302},"Metamorphosis","\u002Fslovar\u002Fmetamorfoz",{"label":304,"path":305},"Imago","\u002Fslovar\u002Fimago",{"label":307,"path":308},"Holometabolism","\u002Fslovar\u002Fgolometaboliya",{"label":310,"path":311},"Butterfly life cycle","\u002Fentsiklopediya\u002Fzhiznennyj-tsikl",{"title":313,"description":314},"Butterfly pupa — what it is, appearance, and duration","Butterfly pupa: what happens inside, what it looks like, how long the stage lasts, where it attaches, and how it differs from a moth cocoon.",{"loc":296},"slovar\u002Fkukolka","DFTFAFYY1SRFzZarfgmfNWtAMIRc5ripTamiv_d1JKU",[],[],[321,326,331,337,342,347,352,357,362,367,372,377,383,386,391,394,399,404,407,412,417,422,427,432,437,442,447,452,457,458,463,469,475,481,486,491,497],{"title":322,"description":323,"path":324,"coverImage":325,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Antenna","Butterfly antennae are paired sensory organs on the head, used to detect odors, pheromones, and vibrations. Their shape is a key identification trait.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fantenna","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fantenna.png",{"title":327,"description":328,"path":329,"coverImage":330,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Aposematism","Aposematism is warning coloration in toxic or unpalatable butterflies. Bright colors signal danger to predators and protect the species from being eaten.","\u002Fslovar\u002Faposematizm","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Faposematizm.png",{"title":332,"description":333,"path":334,"coverImage":335,"publishedAt":336,"order":291},"Batesian Mimicry","Batesian mimicry is when a harmless species evolves to resemble a toxic or dangerous one, borrowing its predator-deterrent reputation without the actual defense.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fbatezovskaya-mimikriya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fbatezovskaya-mimikriya.png","25.07.2026",{"title":338,"description":339,"path":340,"coverImage":341,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Biotope","A biotope is a uniform habitat patch with specific conditions, home to a characteristic community. Each butterfly species prefers its own biotope.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fbiotop","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fbiotop.png",{"title":343,"description":344,"path":345,"coverImage":346,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Caterpillar","The caterpillar is the larval stage of a butterfly, whose main task is to eat and grow — accumulating about 99% of the energy needed for transformation.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fgusenica","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fgusenica.jpg",{"title":348,"description":349,"path":350,"coverImage":351,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Chitin","Chitin is the main structural polymer of insect integument. The hard external skeleton of butterflies, wing scales, and caterpillar armor are made of chitin.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fkhitin","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fkhitin.jpg",{"title":353,"description":354,"path":355,"coverImage":356,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Chrysalis","A chrysalis is a butterfly pupa with a hard chitinous case, often with a golden or silvery sheen. Inside, the organism is completely rebuilt.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fkhrizalida","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fkhrizalida.jpg",{"title":358,"description":359,"path":360,"coverImage":361,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Diapause","Diapause is a state of physiological rest in insects that allows survival of an unfavorable season. In butterflies, it can occur at any developmental stage.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fdiapauza","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fdiapauza.png",{"title":363,"description":364,"path":365,"coverImage":366,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Dimorphism","Dimorphism is the existence of two distinct forms within one species. In butterflies, males and females of the same species can differ sharply in coloration.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fdimorfizm","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fdimorfizm.jpg",{"title":368,"description":369,"path":370,"coverImage":371,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Eclosion","Eclosion is the emergence of an adult butterfly from the pupa. One of the most vulnerable and striking moments in the life cycle of lepidopterans.","\u002Fslovar\u002Feklozia","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Feklozia.jpg",{"title":373,"description":374,"path":375,"coverImage":376,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Endemic","An endemic is a species that lives only in a specific geographic region and nowhere else. Islands and mountains are the main centers of butterfly endemism.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fendemik","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fendemik.jpg",{"title":378,"description":379,"path":380,"coverImage":381,"publishedAt":382,"order":291},"Eyespots","Eyespots are circular wing markings that mimic a vertebrate eye, used by butterflies either to startle predators or to redirect attacks away from vital body parts.","\u002Fslovar\u002Flozhnye-glazki","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Flozhnye-glazki.png","13.08.2026",{"title":307,"description":384,"path":308,"coverImage":385,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Holometabolism is a type of insect development with complete metamorphosis: egg → larva → pupa → imago. All butterflies develop by this type.","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fgolometaboliya.jpg",{"title":387,"description":388,"path":389,"coverImage":390,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Host plant","A host plant is a plant whose leaves a caterpillar of a given butterfly species feeds on. Most species are strictly specialized on 1–3 host plants.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fkormovoe-rastenie","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fkormovoe-rastenie.jpg",{"title":304,"description":392,"path":305,"coverImage":393,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Imago is the adult, sexually mature stage of an insect with fully formed wings. The final phase of complete metamorphosis.","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fimago.jpg",{"title":395,"description":396,"path":397,"coverImage":398,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Lepidoptera","Lepidoptera is the order of scale-winged insects, including butterflies and moths. The name means “scale-winged”: wings are covered with microscopic scales.","\u002Fslovar\u002Flepidoptera","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Flepidoptera.jpg",{"title":400,"description":401,"path":402,"coverImage":403,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Melanism","Melanism is excess accumulation of dark pigment melanin, causing darkened coloration. Industrial melanism in the peppered moth is a classic evolution example.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fmelanizm","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fmelanizm.jpg",{"title":301,"description":405,"path":302,"coverImage":406,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Metamorphosis is complete transformation of an insect passing through four developmental stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult (imago).","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fmetamorfoz.jpg",{"title":408,"description":409,"path":410,"coverImage":411,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Migration","Butterfly migration is seasonal movement over long distances. The record holder is the monarch, at up to 4,500 km; red admirals and painted ladies also migrate.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fmigraciya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fmigraciya.jpg",{"title":413,"description":414,"path":415,"coverImage":416,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Mimicry","Mimicry in butterflies is resemblance to other species or objects for protection from predators. Batesian and Müllerian mimicry, with examples.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fmimikriya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fmimikriya.jpg",{"title":418,"description":419,"path":420,"coverImage":421,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Monophage","A monophage is a species whose caterpillars feed on only one species or genus of plant. Monophagy makes a butterfly vulnerable if that plant disappears.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fmonofag","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fmonofag.jpg",{"title":423,"description":424,"path":425,"coverImage":426,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Nectar","Nectar is the sweet secretion of flowers and the main energy source for adult butterflies, which drink it through the proboscis and carry pollen too.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fnektar","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fnektar.jpg",{"title":428,"description":429,"path":430,"coverImage":431,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Oviposition","Oviposition is egg-laying by a female butterfly, who carefully chooses a host plant, tapping leaves with her legs, and lays eggs on the underside.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fovipozitsiya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fovipozitsiya.jpg",{"title":433,"description":434,"path":435,"coverImage":436,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Pheromones","Butterfly pheromones are chemical signals for attracting mates, marking territory, and communication. Males and females release different pheromones.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fferomon","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fferomon.jpg",{"title":438,"description":439,"path":440,"coverImage":441,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Pollination","Pollination is transfer of pollen from anther to stigma. Butterflies are important pollinators: they move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fopylenie","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fopylenie.jpg",{"title":443,"description":444,"path":445,"coverImage":446,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Polyphagy","Polyphagy is the ability to feed on a wide range of plants. Polyphagous caterpillars are less vulnerable when one host plant species is lost than monophages.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fpolifagiya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fpolifagiya.jpg",{"title":448,"description":449,"path":450,"coverImage":451,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Proboscis","The proboscis is the mouthpart of an adult butterfly, shaped as a flexible tube for sucking nectar and other liquids. At rest it is coiled in a spiral.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fkhobotok","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fkhobotok.jpg",{"title":453,"description":454,"path":455,"coverImage":456,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Puddling","Puddling in butterflies is behavior where insects gather on damp soil, puddles, or droppings to obtain mineral salts and amino acids.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fpudling","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fpudling.jpg",{"title":5,"description":289,"path":296,"coverImage":288,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},{"title":459,"description":460,"path":461,"coverImage":462,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Range","Range is the geographic area within which a given butterfly species lives. Ranges may be continuous, fragmented, expanding, or shrinking.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fareal","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fareal.png",{"title":464,"description":465,"path":466,"coverImage":467,"publishedAt":468,"order":291},"Reintroduction","Reintroduction is the deliberate release of captive-bred or translocated individuals into a habitat where a species has gone locally extinct, aiming to re-establish a self-sustaining wild population.","\u002Fslovar\u002Freintroduktsiya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Freintroduktsiya.png","22.07.2026",{"title":470,"description":471,"path":472,"coverImage":473,"publishedAt":474,"order":291},"Relict Species","A relict species is a survivor of a once-widespread group whose range has contracted to isolated pockets — often mountaintops or glacial refuges — left over after past climate change.","\u002Fslovar\u002Freliktovyi-vid","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Freliktovyi-vid.png","01.08.2026",{"title":476,"description":477,"path":478,"coverImage":479,"publishedAt":480,"order":291},"Stenotopic Species","A stenotopic species tolerates only a narrow range of habitat conditions, unlike a eurytopic generalist that thrives across many different environments.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fstenotopnyi-vid","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fstenotopnyi-vid.png","07.08.2026",{"title":482,"description":483,"path":484,"coverImage":485,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Taxonomy","Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms. Butterflies belong to order Lepidoptera; taxonomy explains why the tortoiseshell is a nymphalid, not a blue.","\u002Fslovar\u002Ftaksonomiya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Ftaksonomiya.jpg",{"title":487,"description":488,"path":489,"coverImage":490,"publishedAt":297,"order":291},"Thermoregulation","Thermoregulation in butterflies is maintaining working body temperature. Unable to generate heat, they warm up in sun, wings spread like solar panels.","\u002Fslovar\u002Ftermoregulyatsiya","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Ftermoregulyatsiya.jpg",{"title":492,"description":493,"path":494,"coverImage":495,"publishedAt":496,"order":291},"Toxin Sequestration","Toxin sequestration is when a caterpillar stores plant-derived toxins from its host plant unchanged in its own tissues, turning the plant's chemical defense into its own.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fsekvestraciya-toksinov","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fsekvestraciya-toksinov.png","19.08.2026",{"title":498,"description":499,"path":500,"coverImage":501,"publishedAt":502,"order":291},"Wing Venation","Wing venation is the pattern of hollow, rigid veins that forms a butterfly wing's supporting framework — its precise layout is a key character for identification and classification.","\u002Fslovar\u002Fzhilkovanie-kryla","\u002Fimages\u002Fslovar\u002Fzhilkovanie-kryla.png","27.07.2026",[504,505,506,507],{"label":301,"path":302,"coverImage":406,"latinName":291},{"label":304,"path":305,"coverImage":393,"latinName":291},{"label":307,"path":308,"coverImage":385,"latinName":291},{"label":310,"path":311,"coverImage":508,"latinName":291},"\u002Fimages\u002Fentsiklopediya\u002Fzhiznennyj-tsikl.png",1787125907688]