Diapause
A period of suspended development in insects and some other organisms, typically triggered by environmental cues like day length. A pre-programmed pause that anticipates unfavorable conditions.
Biological Context
Monarch butterflies in their fall migration generation enter reproductive diapause—their reproductive organs don't develop until spring. This allows them to live 8 months instead of 2-4 weeks, enabling the long journey south. Diapause differs from torpor in being hormonally pre-programmed rather than a direct response to conditions.
Business Application
Strategic diapause: deliberately pausing growth initiatives during predictably unfavorable periods. Some businesses plan for seasonal slowdowns, using the pause to prepare for the next active phase rather than fighting unfavorable conditions.