What term describes a dormant period insects enter during unfavorable conditions?

• A. Hibernation
• B. Estivation
• C. Diapause
• D. Torpor

Answer: (C)

Diapause is a hormonally regulated, developmentally arrested state that insects enter to survive unfavorable conditions such as cold winters or food shortages. It can occur at different life stages depending on the species and is typically triggered by environmental cues like shorter day length and lower temperatures. While the insect is in diapause, growth and development pause and metabolism slows, allowing survival through harsh periods until conditions improve enough for normal development to resume. This is distinct from torpor, a short-term, daily or occasional drop in metabolic rate; and from hibernation or estivation, which are dormancy concepts more commonly applied to animals rather than the programmed developmental pause seen in many insects.