What insect's pupal stage is called a chrysalis?

A butterfly’s pupal stage is called a chrysalis. It is the transformation stage between the caterpillar and the adult butterfly, when the insect’s adult body, wings, legs, antennae, and reproductive organs develop.

When a mature caterpillar is ready to pupate, it attaches itself to a leaf, twig, or another surface, often using a small silk pad and a hook-like structure called a cremaster. Its larval skin then splits and is shed, revealing the hardened chrysalis beneath. Inside, extensive reorganization changes the caterpillar into a winged adult.

People often use “chrysalis,” “pupa,” and “cocoon” as if they mean the same thing. Pupa is the broad biological term for this developmental stage. Chrysalis generally means a butterfly pupa, while a cocoon is a protective silk covering spun by many moth caterpillars around their pupa. Most butterflies do not spin cocoons. The word chrysalis comes from an ancient Greek term connected with gold, inspired by the metallic appearance of some butterfly pupae.