: a stage in the life of an arthropod (such as an insect) between two successive molts
also
: an individual in a specified instar
Examples of instar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After running through its allotment of instars, a caterpillar ceases to be itself and becomes a pupa.
—
Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
After the fourth instar, the nymphs molt into adults about an inch long.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2022
The fourth instar of the insect is bright red with black and white markings, Indiana DNR officials said.
—Sarah Brookbank, The Enquirer, 27 July 2021
After shedding their final instar, insects that experience complete metamorphosis become pupae.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 11 Aug. 2020
Each stage of molting is called an instar, and some insects molt up to five times before moving onto the next stage.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 11 Aug. 2020
There are five instars (that is, stages of development resulting in skin shedding) of the nymphs.
—Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 26 Apr. 2018
Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
After the fourth instar, the nymphs molt into adults about an inch long.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2022
The fourth instar of the insect is bright red with black and white markings, Indiana DNR officials said.
—Sarah Brookbank, The Enquirer, 27 July 2021
After shedding their final instar, insects that experience complete metamorphosis become pupae.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 11 Aug. 2020
Each stage of molting is called an instar, and some insects molt up to five times before moving onto the next stage.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 11 Aug. 2020
There are five instars (that is, stages of development resulting in skin shedding) of the nymphs.
—Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 26 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Instar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instar. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
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instar
noun
in·star
ˈin-ˌstär 
: a stage in the life of an arthropod (as an insect) between two successive molts
also
: an individual in a specified instar
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