Chrysalis

The chrysalis is the third stage in the life cycle of some insects. The term is usually used in relation to butterflies and moths and less commonly for other insects (the term pupa being used instead).

In the chrysalis the body tissues of the larvae or caterpillar break down and the tissues of the adult insect form.

A photograph of the chrysalis of the Large Copper butterfly.

Other names for (or types of) Chrysalis include:

• Chrysalid

Related terms

• Blues
• Browns
• Caterpillar
• Cocoon
• Complete metamorphosis
• Cremaster
• Eclosion
• Endopterygota
• Girdle
• Lepidoptera
• Life stage
• Pharate
• Psychidae
• Pupa

Related groups of terms

• Insect life cycles

Related pages on this web site

• Butterflies and Moths - Order Lepidoptera
• Caterpillar caresheet
• Insect life cycles

See other words beginning with C