Eclosion

The emergence of an adult insect from a pupa or a larvae (or nymph) from an egg is called eclosion. Adults of diurnal insects (such as butterflies and dragonflies) often emerge at dawn whereas nocturnal insects (such as many mosquitoes) eclose at night.

A photograph of a recently eclosed Harlequin ladybird. The adult ladybird is still translucent as its exoskeleton hasn't hardened up yet. The empty pupal case is also visible.

Related terms

• Chrysalis
• Cocoon
• Complete metamorphosis
• Diurnal
• Egg
• Exuvia
• Life cycle
• Metamorphosis
• Ootheca
• Pharate
• Pupa
• Puparium

Related groups of terms

• General biology
• Insect life cycles

Related pages on this web site

• Insect life cycles

See other words beginning with E