Monday-ish word: diapause

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

diapause  (dī′ə-pôz′)

noun:  A period of suspended development in an insect, other invertebrate, or mammal embryo, especially during unfavorable environmental conditions.

verb:  To undergo a period of suspended development.

I ran across the word in this pdf about how Wisconsin butterflies cope with winter.
Wikipedia has info too.

Etymology:  Greek dia, between, + pauein, to pause

This is a tiny chrysalis I found in September, attached to my porch railing - I think a question mark butterfly.  I checked yesterday and it was empty - opened from the inside.
According to the above pdf, the question mark butterfly hibernates through the Wisconsin winter as an adult.  I hope it found a good snug winter home.