Notes on insect prepupa
Author of the article:YANG Zhong-Qi* , WANG Xiao-Yi
Author's Workplace：The Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology , Environment and Pr otection, Chinese Academy of Forestry , Beijing 100091, China
Key Words：biology, prepupa, definition
Abstract：Prepupa is a special developmental stage in the holometabolan insects. But entomologists have been different comprehensions to this item, subsequently lead to much confusion in the descriptions of many insects. We comparatively analyzed various descriptions on insect prepupa and suggested an appropriate definition according to our research experiences on biology of various insects during recent years, i. e. the prepupa is a specifically developmental period when insect mature larva stops feeding to moulting and becoming a real pupa. It shows different behavior from larva stage, ceasing feeding and leaving the larval habitat, preparing for transformation into the pupa. Usually it enters soil or goes to shelter, constructing a cocoon, cell andor other form of protection. Meanwhile its body becomes more depressed and relatively shorter, and shows other changes on form.