Inchworm

"Inchworm" redirects here. For other uses, see Inchworm (disambiguation).
Geometer moth
Temporal range: Priabonian to Recent 35–0Ma
PreЄЄOSDCPTJKPgN

Problepsis vulgaris (Geometridae: Sterrhinae)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
(unranked): Macrolepidoptera
Superfamily: Geometroidea
Family: Geometridae
Leach, 1815
Subfamilies
Alsophilinae (disputed)
Archiearinae
Desmobathrinae (disputed)
Ennominae
Geometrinae
Larentiinae (but see text)
Oenochrominae
Orthostixinae
Sterrhinae

Chiasma species from Ennominae

Selenia tetralunaria species from Ennominae

Scopula sp.

Tetracis cachexiata (Ohio)
The geometer moths or Geometridae (from Greek geo γη or γαια 'the earth' and metron μέτρων 'measure' — refers to the larvae, or inchworms, which appear to "measure the earth" as they move in a looping fashion) are a family of the order Lepidoptera.[1] A very large family, it has around 35,000 species of moths described, and over 1,400 species from 6 subclasses indigenous to North America.[1] A well-known member is the Peppered Moth, Biston betularia, which has been subject of numerous studies in population genetics. Several other geometer moths are notorious pests.
The name "Geometridae" ultimately derives from Latin geometra from Greek γεωμέτρης ("geometer, earth-measurer"). This refers to the means of locomotion of the larvae or caterpillars, which lack the full complement of prolegs seen in other Lepidopteran caterpillars, with only two or three pairs at the posterior end instead of the usual five pairs. Equipped with appendages at both ends of the body, a caterpillar will clasp with its front legs and draw up the hind end, then clasp with the hind end (prolegs) and reach out for a new front attachment - creating the impression that it is measuring its journey. The caterpillars are accordingly called loopers, spanworms, or inchworms after their characteristic looping gait. The cabbage looper is not an inchworm, but a caterpillar of a different family. In many species of geometer moths, the inchworms are about 25 mm (1.0 in) long. They tend to be green, grey, or brownish and hide from predators by fading into the background or resembling twigs. Many inchworms, when disturbed, stand erect and motionless on the prolegs, increasing the resemblance. Some have humps or filaments. They are seldom hairy or gregarious and are generally smooth. Typically they eat leaves. However, some eat lichen, flowers or pollen. Some, such as the Hawaiian species of the genus Eupithecia, are even carnivorous. Certain destructive inchworms are called cankerworms.