Cocoon fillers (5)

I believe the answer is:

pupae

(Other definitions for pupae that I've seen before include "Butterflies developing" , "Insects in the stage between larva and adult" , "Insects between larval and adult stages" , "Insects in the inactive stage of development" , "Insects in form between larvae and adults" .)

I've seen this clue in the LA Times.

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