noun
- Plural of puparium; the hardened outer skin of a fly larva that forms a protective case around the pupa during metamorphosis.
Usage: technical; biology; entomology
Examples
- The puparia of fruit flies are often found in fermenting fruit.
- Entomologists examine puparia to identify different fly species.
- The brown puparia protect the developing insect inside.
- Under the microscope, the puparia showed distinctive ridges and patterns.