I'm Swiss. What does cocoon mean? Thanks A LOT
2007-07-08 15:17:08 · 19 answers · asked by hypatiadelamartine 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
A cocoon is a shell like surrounding that is formed around a caterpillar in order to grow and become a butterfly.
2007-07-08 15:20:01 · answer #1 · answered by AudreySmiles 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
While a lot of people have probably heard about caterpillar Cocoons, they may not know for sure just what these are. Basically, they are nothing more than a protective casing that is around an insect. This is made of either silk or some other similar fibrous material that is then spun around the the insect during their pupal stage, which is the life stage of an insect that is undergoing transformation. While the most common type of Cocoon are those that are found around butterflies or moths, the egg case of a spider is also a type of Cocoon.
Usually an insect will enter into a Cocoon so that they will be protected from a harsh or unfriendly environment. This is why, most of the time insects will spend the wintertime in their Cocoons. So, as the days get shorter and cooler in the fall, these insects will start to spin a silky envelope around themselves. They will then retreat into this Cocoon and spend the winter without the need for food or water.
You may be wondering just how these Cocoons are made. Well, they are actually made of silk. This silk is spun from 2 glands that are located inside of an insect. These glands are filled with a material that is thick and glue-like. An insect will then work in a figure 8 in order to wrap themselves up inside of this silk. This material is pressed out of the insect's 2 slender threads. These threads will then stick together as they emerge and then grow hard when fresh air touches them.
2007-07-08 22:37:38 · answer #2 · answered by ctknight9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cocoon. A caterpillar is a baby. The next stage is a cocoon. After the cocoon it becomes a Butterfly which is the adult form.
2007-07-08 22:21:12 · answer #3 · answered by Kayla T 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cocoon >noun 1 a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection during the pupal stage. 2 a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment. 3 something that envelops in a protective or comforting way. >verb 1 wrap in a cocoon. 2 N. Amer. retreat from the stressful conditions of public life.
2007-07-08 22:20:17 · answer #4 · answered by livestorun 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can also be used figuratively. For example, if someone has lived a sheltered life, you could say that he lives in a cocoon. In other words, he's protected and knows little of how people are and how the world is.
2007-07-08 22:21:57 · answer #5 · answered by Diana 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a cocoon is something used in the metamorphosis of the butterfly... the caterpillar wraps itself inside of the cocoon and emerges a butterfly. hope you find what you're looking for!
2007-07-08 22:43:18 · answer #6 · answered by bandgirl_221 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Example: When a butterfly lays eggs, these eggs will hatch into a worm. When the time comes the worm will expel a silky string from it's body and the worm will completely encase its self with this string. Then it will wait. When the time comes a beautiful butterfly will emerge from the "cocoon".
A complete enclosure. Pops
2007-07-08 22:23:06 · answer #7 · answered by Pops 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a cocoon is what a caterpillar is in before coming out a butterfly
2007-07-08 22:25:04 · answer #8 · answered by lee f 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a cocoon means a tight wrapping, like what a caterpillar does before it turns into a butterfly
2007-07-08 22:20:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
'cocoon' is the little white or grey bundle a caterpillar spins around itself when it is en route to becoming a papillon! The metaphoric use of the word means to snuggle up inside yourself [or in bed or wrapped up in a duvet] and feel safe and warm.
2007-07-08 22:22:17 · answer #10 · answered by constantreader 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋