Future monarchs? (5)
I believe the answer is:
pupae
'future monarchs?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
This is all the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pupae that I've seen before include "Insects in the inactive stage of development" , "Chrysalises" , "Insects between larval and adult stages" , "Butterflies developing" , "Insects in the stage between larva and adult" .)