Three main concepts of "pre-pupa" are recognized here in the Holometabola: i) pre-pupa without a distinct moult but with a short quiescent period followed or not by slight modifications of the last larval instar form of body - this type corresponds to the pharate pupa; ii) pre-pupa with a distinct moult, and a quiescent resting period followed by slight form modifications (mainly in the mandibles and color pattern) with a variable period of diapause (ex. Hymenoptera-Symphyta); iii) pre-pupa with a distinct moult, a quiescent period not related to the diapause phenomenon, and distinct morphological modifications (Coleoptera-Mycteridae).