Pupa Slideshow: A pupa is the transitional life stage between the larva and adult forms in insects that undergo complete metamorphosis. All insects that undergo complete metamorphosis must experience a pupa stage, including butterflies and moths, beetles, flies, wasps, bees, ants, and others. A pupa is a living creature itself, not a case or covering. Depending on species, a pupa’s skin may be smooth and brown or heavily textured and colorful. However, there are some characteristics that can be

Pupation — the moment when a butterfly caterpillar transforms into a chrysalis — is almost never observed by humans. This is what it looks like. | Oregon Zoo