chrysalis
- Pronunciation
- /KRIS-uh-lis/
- Category
- Lifecycle
- Singular
- Chrysalis
- Plural
- Chrysalides
Definition
A pupal stage of butterflies in which the larva undergoes metamorphosis into its adult form.
Etymology
From Latin 'chrysallis', from Greek 'khrusallis', which in turn comes from 'khrusos', meaning 'gold', because of the gold-like coloring of some butterfly pupae.
Example
During the chrysalis stage, the butterfly undergoes a complete transformation inside a hardened outer shell.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Larva
- Imago
- Metamorphosis
Usage Notes
Chrysalis is specific to butterflies; moths create cocoons during their pupal stage.