In entomology, the shedding or loosening of the cuticle in insects and other arthropods before molting.
From Greek apo- 'away' + lysis 'loosening/breaking down.' The term describes the biological process where the outer layer separates from the inner layer before ecdysis (actual shedding).
Before a caterpillar molts, apolysis happens first—the inner skin literally separates from the outer shell like bubble wrap loosening—then ecdysis is the moment it actually splits and escapes.
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