In the lifecycle of insects, what is the role of a pupa?

In the lifecycle of insects, the pupa serves as a transitional immature stage, playing a crucial role in the metamorphosis process, especially in holometabolous insects, which undergo complete metamorphosis. During this stage, the insect is generally inactive and does not feed. Instead, its body undergoes significant transformation, where larval tissues are broken down and restructured into the adult form. This stage is vital as it allows the insect to develop the complex structures needed for its adult life, such as wings and reproductive organs. The pupal stage acts as a bridge between the often voracious and growth-focused larval phase and the reproductive, adult phase, emphasizing its role in the lifecycle of insects.