A pupa is a life stage in the development of certain insects, such as butterflies and beetles. During this stage, the insect undergoes a transformation, changing from a larva into its adult form. The pupa is often encased in a protective shell, like a chrysalis for butterflies, where it can safely develop. Inside the pupa, the insect's body is reorganized and restructured. This process is called metamorphosis, and it allows the insect to emerge as a fully formed adult. Once the transformation is complete, the pupa breaks free, revealing a new insect ready to take on the world.