ClimateAugust 8, 2026
chrysalises
KRIS-uh-li-siz
Definition
The hard-shelled pupa stage of a butterfly, during which the insect undergoes transformation inside a protective casing.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'chrysallis,' meaning 'gold' or 'gold-colored,' referring to the metallic appearance of some butterfly pupae, and entered English in the 17th century.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe how certain moths and butterflies protect their developing forms by disguising them as dead leaves within the yard debris left behind by gardeners.
Leaving The Leaves Welcomes Wildlife, Preserves Biodiversity
Read the full article ↗E — The Environmental Magazine