Geometer-moths
Guides
Anavitrinella
Common Gray (for A. pampinaria)
Anavitrinella is a genus of geometrid moths erected by James Halliday McDunnough in 1922. The genus contains four recognized species, with Anavitrinella pampinaria (common gray) being the most widespread and well-documented. Species in this genus are characterized by relatively plain, grayish wing coloration that makes identification challenging. The caterpillars are inchworms typical of the family Geometridae.
Azelinini
Azelinini is a tribe of geometer moths (Geometridae: Ennominae) characterized by stocky bodies, distinctive wing patterning with contrasting outer and middle forewing thirds, and several unique morphological traits in both adults and immature stages. The tribe was established by Forbes in 1948 and shows strongest diversity in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly South America, with some representation in North America. Members exhibit complex male genital modifications and several reductions or losses of structures typical in related ennomine tribes.
Digrammia
granite moths, angle moths
Digrammia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, erected by Carl Freiherr von Gumppenberg in 1887. The genus is now frequently treated as a synonym of Semiothisa, though many species continue to be referenced under the Digrammia name. It includes approximately 50 described species, many of which bear common names referencing their angular wing patterns or granitic coloration. Species such as Digrammia californiaria (California granite moth), D. colorata (creosote moth), and D. continuata (curve-lined angle moth) are among the better documented members.
Ennomini
Ennomini is a tribe of geometer moths within the Ennominae subfamily. Members are characterized by large body size relative to other Ennominae and generally subdued coloration. The tribe shows close morphological affinities to Azelinini and Nacophorini, with which it shares several structural features. The group includes economically significant species such as the scalloped oak (Crocallis elinguaria) and several thorn moths in the genus Ennomos.
Eudulini
Eudulini is a tribe of geometer moths within the subfamily Larentiinae. The tribe contains at least three genera: Eubaphe, Eudule, and Eudulophasia. These moths are part of a diverse group of Larentiinae, which are predominantly found in temperate and tropical regions. The tribe has been documented through thousands of observations, indicating substantial field presence.
Eufidonia
Powdered Geometer Moths
Eufidonia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, first described by Packard in 1876. Commonly known as Powdered Geometer Moths, this genus contains at least three recognized species distributed in North America. The genus is classified within the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group of geometer moths.
Eupitheciini
Pug Moths, Pugs
Eupitheciini is a tribe of geometer moths in the subfamily Larentiinae, commonly known as pugs. With approximately 1,900 described species distributed across 47 genera, it is the most species-rich tribe in the family Geometridae. The genus Eupithecia alone contains roughly 1,400 species and is one of the largest insect genera globally. Members are typically small moths with narrow wings and cryptic coloration. Identification relies heavily on genitalia dissection due to morphological homogeneity among species.
Geometrinae
Emerald Moths
Geometrinae is the nominate subfamily of the geometer moth family Geometridae, commonly known as emerald moths for their characteristic light bluish-green coloration. The subfamily contains approximately 2,300 described species, predominantly distributed in tropical regions. It is taxonomically complex, with 13 recognized tribes, many of which are small or monotypic. A 2018 molecular phylogenetic analysis established the current tribal classification.
Ixala
Ixala is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, established by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. The genus contains four described species: Ixala desperaria, Ixala proutearia, Ixala klotsi, and Ixala adventaria. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group within the geometer moths.
Meris
Meris is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. The genus was established by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. It contains five described species, all restricted to western North America. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and is part of a diverse group of inchworm moths.
Nasusina
Nasusina is a genus of small geometrid moths in the subfamily Larentiinae, established by Pearsall in 1908. The genus contains five described species distributed in western North America, ranging from California to British Columbia. Members are characterized by their diminutive size and relatively plain wing patterns. The genus name reflects the distinctive snout-like projection of the labial palps in some species.
Ourapterygini
Ourapterygini is a large tribe of geometer moths within the subfamily Ennominae, described in 1846. The tribe is particularly diverse in the Neotropics and is considered the youngest tribe of its subfamily based on phylogenetic evidence. Members are distinguished by characteristic asymmetrical processes of the anellus, a derived trait present at least seasonally. Many species exhibit butterfly-like appearance and partially diurnal behavior, with conspicuous coloration that may serve as aposematic warning signals.
Prochoerodes
Prochoerodes is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The genus comprises approximately 24 described species distributed primarily in North America. At least one species, Prochoerodes truxaliata, has been documented feeding on coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) as a caterpillar. Research has examined Prochoerodes onustaria as a potential biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree, though it was determined unsuitable for this purpose. The genus is regularly encountered in moth surveys and blacklighting events in western North America.
Rindgeria
Rindgeria is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae, established by Heppner in 2010. It belongs to the diverse group of geometer moths, which are characterized by slender bodies and broad wings. The genus appears to be relatively recently described with limited published documentation. Observations suggest it occurs in tropical and subtropical regions.
Stamnodini
Stamnodini is a tribe of geometer moths within the subfamily Larentiinae. The tribe contains at least two genera: Stamnoctenis and Stamnodes. Members of this tribe are part of a diverse group of moths commonly known as carpet moths or pug moths, though specific common names for the tribe itself are not established.
Sterrhinae
Waves and Mochas
Sterrhinae is a large subfamily of geometer moths (Geometridae) comprising approximately 3,000 described species, with exceptional diversity in the tropics decreasing toward higher latitudes and elevations. The subfamily was established by Edward Meyrick in 1892 and includes the taxonomically challenging genera Idaea and Scopula, which together account for more than half of all species. Members are commonly known as 'waves' due to their characteristic wing patterns. The group exhibits notable morphological synapomorphies including forewing areoles and specific venation patterns that distinguish it from other geometrid subfamilies.
Sterrhini
Sterrhini is a tribe of geometer moths comprising approximately 825 species across 19 genera, with an additional 6 genera and 36 species tentatively associated. The tribe was established by Edward Meyrick in 1892 and represents one of the major lineages within the subfamily Sterrhinae. Members of this tribe are predominantly small to medium-sized moths with relatively broad wings. The genus Idaea is the most species-rich and widely distributed within the tribe.
Taeniogramma
Taeniogramma is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Paul Dognin in 1914. The genus contains approximately ten described species distributed across the Americas, with the highest diversity in Central and South America and several species extending into the southwestern United States. Species in this genus are characterized by their patterned forewings, often featuring distinct lines or bands.
Timandrini
Timandrini is a tribe of geometer moths (Geometridae) established by Stephens in 1850. The tribe comprises approximately 45 species distributed across four genera: Haematopis, Synegiodes, Timandra, and Traminda. These moths are part of the diverse Geometridae family, commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths.
Tornos
Tornos is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. The genus was established by Morrison in 1875. Species in this genus are characterized by relatively small size and cryptic wing patterns that provide camouflage against bark and leaf litter. The genus occurs primarily in North America, with species inhabiting forested and shrubland environments. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.