Ecdysial

/ɛkˈdɪziəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of ecdysis; involving or pertaining to the molting or shedding of an exoskeleton.

Etymology

From ecdysis (molting) + '-ial' (adjective suffix). This zoological term describes anything associated with the process of shedding external coverings.

Kelly Says

Ecdysial hormones control some of the most bizarre insect transformations—a caterpillar's entire body reorganizes during ecdysial periods, literally dissolving into cellular soup before reforming as a butterfly, which is honestly wilder than most science fiction.

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