Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

French cocon, from Occitan coucoun, from coco shell, probably [[ultimately]] from [[Latin]] coccum kermes ([[thought]] to be a gall or berry), from [[Greek]] kokkos berry, kermes

French cocon, from Occitan coucoun, from coco shell, probably [[ultimately]] from [[Latin]] coccum kermes ([[thought]] to be a gall or berry), from [[Greek]] kokkos berry, kermes

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1679]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1679]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1a : an envelope often largely of silk which an insect [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larva larva] forms about itself and in which it passes the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupa pupa] [[stage]]  

*1a : an envelope often largely of silk which an insect [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larva larva] forms about itself and in which it passes the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupa pupa] [[stage]]  

:b : any of various other protective coverings produced by [[animals]]

:b : any of various other protective coverings produced by [[animals]]

*2a : something suggesting a cocoon especially in providing protection or in producing [[isolation]] <wrapped in a cocoon of blankets> <an interest in the world beyond the everyday cocoon most of us construct — Peter Mayle>  

*2a : something suggesting a cocoon especially in providing protection or in producing [[isolation]] <wrapped in a cocoon of blankets> <an interest in the world beyond the everyday cocoon most of us construct — Peter Mayle>  

:b : a protective covering placed or sprayed over [[military]] or naval equipment in storage  

:b : a protective covering placed or sprayed over [[military]] or naval equipment in storage  

==Description==

==Description==

A '''cocoon''' is a casing spun of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk silk] by many moth [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar caterpillars], and numerous other [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holometabolous holometabolous] insect larvae as a protective covering for the pupa.

A '''cocoon''' is a casing spun of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk silk] by many moth [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar caterpillars], and numerous other [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holometabolous holometabolous] insect larvae as a protective covering for the pupa.

Cocoons may be tough or soft, [[opaque]] or [[translucent]], solid or meshlike, of various [[colors]], or composed of multiple layers, depending on the [[type]] of insect larva producing it. Many moth caterpillars shed the larval hairs ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seta setae]) and incorporate them into the cocoon; if these are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hair urticating hairs] then the cocoon is also irritating to the [[touch]]. Some larvae attach small twigs, fecal pellets or pieces of vegetation to the outside of their cocoon in an attempt to disguise it from predators. Others spin their cocoon in a concealed location – on the underside of a leaf, in a crevice, down near the base of a tree trunk, suspended from a twig or concealed in the leaf litter.[5]

Cocoons may be tough or soft, [[opaque]] or [[translucent]], solid or meshlike, of various [[colors]], or composed of multiple layers, depending on the [[type]] of insect larva producing it. Many moth caterpillars shed the larval hairs ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seta setae]) and incorporate them into the cocoon; if these are [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticating_hair urticating hairs] then the cocoon is also irritating to the [[touch]]. Some larvae attach small twigs, fecal pellets or pieces of vegetation to the outside of their cocoon in an attempt to disguise it from predators. Others spin their cocoon in a concealed location – on the underside of a leaf, in a crevice, down near the base of a tree trunk, suspended from a twig or concealed in the leaf litter.[5]

The silk in the cocoon of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_moth silk moth] can be unravelled to get silk fibre which makes this moth the most [[economically]] important of all Lepidopterans. The moth is the only completely [[domesticated]] Lepidopteran and does not exist in the wild.

The silk in the cocoon of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_moth silk moth] can be unravelled to get silk fibre which makes this moth the most [[economically]] important of all Lepidopterans. The moth is the only completely [[domesticated]] Lepidopteran and does not exist in the wild.

Insects that pupate in a cocoon must [[escape]] from it, and they do this either by the pupa cutting its way out, or by secreting [[fluids]] that soften the cocoon. Some cocoons are constructed with built-in lines of weakness along which they will tear easily from inside, or with exit holes that only allow a one-way passage out; such features [[facilitate]] the [[escape]] of the adult insect after it emerges from the pupal skin.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupa#Cocoon]

Insects that pupate in a cocoon must [[escape]] from it, and they do this either by the pupa cutting its way out, or by secreting [[fluids]] that soften the cocoon. Some cocoons are constructed with built-in lines of weakness along which they will tear easily from inside, or with exit holes that only allow a one-way passage out; such features [[facilitate]] the [[escape]] of the adult insect after it emerges from the pupal skin.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupa#Cocoon]

[[Category: Biology]]

[[Category: Biology]]