Inchworm
| Geometer moth Temporal range: Priabonian to Recent 35–0 Ma |
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| Chiasma species from Ennominae | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| (unranked): | Macrolepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Geometroidea |
| Family: |
Geometridae Leach, 1815 |
| Subfamilies | |
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Alsophilinae (disputed) |
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Alsophilinae (disputed)
Archiearinae
Desmobathrinae (disputed)
Ennominae
Geometrinae
Larentiinae (but see text)
Oenochrominae
Orthostixinae
Sterrhinae
The geometer moths are moths belonging to the family Geometridae of the insect order Lepidoptera, the moths and butterflies. Their scientific name derives from the Ancient Greek geo γη or γαια 'the earth' and metron μέτρων 'measure' in reference to the way their larvae, or inchworms, appear to "measure the earth" as they move along in a looping fashion. A very large family, it has around 35,000 species of moths described, and over 1400 species from six subfamilies indigenous to North America alone. 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.
Many geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hind wings visible. As such, they appear rather butterfly-like, but in most respects they are typical moths; the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings, and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend into the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings. In some species, females have reduced wings (e.g. winter moth and fall cankerworm).
Most are of moderate size, about 3 cm (1.2 in) in wingspan, but a range of sizes occur from 10–50 mm (0.39–1.97 in), and a few species (e.g., Dysphania) reach an even larger size. They have distinctive paired tympanal organs at the base of the abdomen (lacking in flightless females).
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Wikipedia