What is the difference between a chrysalis, a cocoon and a pupa?
A chrysalis is the pupal casing of butterflies. A butterfly caterpillar pupates into a chrysalis, and an adult butterfly emerges.
A cocoon is the pupal casing made of moths and other insect larvae. A moth caterpillar pupates into a cocoon, and an adult moth emerges.
Bogong Moth (Cocoon)
A pupa is one of the four life stages of an insect, such as a butterfly or moth. The pupal stage is only found in insects that undergo a complete metamorphosis (change).
The four life cycle stages are: eggs, larvae (caterpillar), pupae, and adult (imago). Pupa is single, and pupae is plural. Imago means last stage.
Mulberry Moth (Cocoon)
Monarch Butterfly (Chrysalis)
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM