Geometer moth
| Geometridae | |||||||||||||
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 Locomotion of Geometrid caterpillar | |||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | |||||||||||||
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| Author: | Leach, 1815 | ||||||||||||
| Type species: | Geometra papilionaria (large emerald moth) | ||||||||||||
| Diversity: | 2,000? genera 26,000 species | ||||||||||||
| Subfamilies | |||||||||||||
| Alsophilinae Archiearinae Desmobathrinae Ennominae Geometrinae Larentiinae Oenochrominae Orthostixinae Sterrhinae | |||||||||||||
| Genera | |||||||||||||
| Geometra (etc) | |||||||||||||
The Geometer moths or Geometridae are a family of the order Lepidoptera. A very large family with around 26,000 species described, it notably includes the peppered moth, Biston betularia.
The name Geometer (earth-measurer) refers to the means of locomotion of the larvae or caterpillars. Equipped with claspers 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 and reach out for a new front attachment. The impression that it is measuring its journey is inescapable. The caterpillars are accordingly called loopers or inchworms.
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