1. a period of suspended development or dormancy in insects and other animals, triggered by environmental conditions such as temperature or day length.
Usage: biology; entomology

1. to enter or undergo a state of diapause; to remain dormant or inactive during a specific season or environmental condition.
Usage: biology; entomology

Examples

• Many insects enter diapause during winter to survive harsh conditions.
• The monarch butterfly's diapause is triggered by shorter day lengths in autumn.
• Some species of mosquitoes diapause as eggs, waiting for spring to hatch.
• Diapause allows organisms to conserve energy when food and warmth are scarce.
• The caterpillar will diapause in its chrysalis until temperatures warm up.
• Scientists study diapause to understand how animals adapt to seasonal changes.