Geometridae
Guides
Phrygionis auriferaria
Golden-Winged Palyas Moth
Phrygionis auriferaria is a geometrid moth species described by George Duryea Hulst in 1887. It is commonly known as the golden-winged palyas moth. The species belongs to the family Geometridae, a large group of moths commonly called inchworms or loopers due to their characteristic larval movement. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 6670 in the North American moth numbering system.
Phrygionis paradoxata
Jeweled Satyr Moth, Silvery Phrygionis
Phrygionis paradoxata, commonly known as the Jeweled Satyr Moth or Silvery Phrygionis, is a geometrid moth first described by Achille Guenée in 1858. The species is distributed across the Neotropical region, with records from South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Florida in North America. Three subspecies are recognized: the nominate form, P. p. incolorata, and P. p. steeleorum.
Phyllodonta
Phyllodonta is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae, established by Warren in 1894. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with some taxa extending into the Nearctic. Several species form cryptic complexes that are superficially indistinguishable based on adult external morphology but can be differentiated by genitalia, larval characteristics, host plant associations, and DNA barcodes. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, particularly for the latrata species group in Costa Rica.
Phyllodonta sarukhani
Phyllodonta sarukhani is a species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Ennominae, described by Beutelspacher in 1984. The genus Phyllodonta comprises moths with leaf-mimicking wing patterns, though specific documentation for this species remains limited. It is known from Mexico based on museum specimens and sparse observation records.
Pionenta ochreata
Pionenta ochreata is a small geometrid moth found in the southwestern United States. The species was originally described by Hulst in 1898 and later transferred to the genus Pionenta when that genus was erected to accommodate species formerly placed in Antepione. Adults fly during late spring and summer months.
Plagodis
Plagodis is a genus of geometrid moths established by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus includes approximately 30 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with notable diversity in both Europe and North America. Several species are recognized for their distinctive wing patterns and resting postures. The genus name derives from Greek, referring to the oblique or slanted wing posture characteristic of many species at rest.
Plagodis pulveraria
Barred Umber
Plagodis pulveraria, commonly known as the barred umber, is a geometrid moth first described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is widely distributed across the Palearctic realm from Ireland to Japan, with additional populations in Canada. The species exhibits considerable color variation, ranging from reddish-brown to violaceous grey, with diagnostic straight antemedian and incurved postmedian lines on the forewings. Adults are active in two generations from mid-spring through summer.
Plataea polychroma
Plataea polychroma is a species of geometrid moth described by Ferris & McFarland in 2010. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae within the family Geometridae. The species is native to North America. Available information on this recently described species remains limited.
Pleuroprucha insulsaria
Common Tan Wave, common tan wave moth
Pleuroprucha insulsaria, known as the Common Tan Wave, is a small geometrid moth with a broad distribution spanning eastern North America through Central and South America to the Galápagos Islands. Adults are active from spring through fall, with timing varying by latitude. The species is notable for its generalist larval feeding habits across multiple plant families.
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.
Prochoerodes amplicineraria
Prochoerodes amplicineraria is a geometrid moth species first described by Pearsall in 1906. It belongs to the family Geometridae, commonly known as geometer moths or inchworms. The species is distributed across North America. As with other members of its genus, it is a nocturnal moth attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Prochoerodes lineola
Large Maple Spanworm Moth, Large Maple Spanworm
Prochoerodes lineola, commonly known as the large maple spanworm moth, is a geometrid moth native to North America. Adults have a wingspan of 35–50 mm and are active from April to October in southern regions and July to September in northern areas. The caterpillars are generalist feeders known to consume leaves from numerous woody and herbaceous plants. The species occurs from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas and north to Alberta.
Prorella
Prorella is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. It was erected by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed in North America. Species were described between 1882 and 1949 by various lepidopterists including Grote, Hulst, Grossbeck, and McDunnough.
Prorella albida
Prorella albida is a small geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, first described from North American material in 1923. It is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. Adults have been documented during summer and autumn months in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species appears to be univoltine or bivoltine based on scattered flight records.
Prorella discoidalis
Prorella discoidalis is a small geometrid moth described by John Arthur Grossbeck in 1908. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 17 mm and appear in two generations annually, with flight periods in June and August.
Prorella insipidata
Prorella insipidata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described in 1910. It is known from the western and southwestern United States. Adults are active from mid-summer through autumn.
Prorella irremorata
A small geometrid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1923, restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults are active in spring and again in early autumn. The species is one of several in the genus Prorella, a group of generally small, inconspicuous moths associated with desert and semi-arid habitats.
Prorella mellisa
Prorella mellisa is a Geometridae moth species described by John Arthur Grossbeck in 1908. It occurs in the western United States, with records from California, Arizona, Colorado, and Montana. Adult flight activity has been documented in May and from July through October.
Prorella neremorata
Prorella neremorata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. It is a small, relatively obscure species with limited published documentation. The species is part of a genus containing several similar small geometrid moths found in western North America.
Prorella remorata
Prorella remorata is a small geometrid moth described by John Arthur Grossbeck in 1907. It is known only from Arizona, where adults have been recorded in March and August. The wingspan measures approximately 18 mm. As a member of the subfamily Larentiinae, it belongs to a diverse group of moths commonly known as carpet moths or pugs.
Protitame
Protitame is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, erected by James Halliday McDunnough in 1939. The genus includes at least three described species, notably Protitame virginalis (virgin moth), Protitame subalbaria, and Protitame cervula. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae, one of the largest subfamilies within Geometridae. Species within this genus appear to be restricted to North America, with documented occurrence records from the United States including Vermont.
Protitame cervula
Protitame cervula is a species of geometrid moth originally described by Rindge in 1958. The species has been transferred to the genus Sperrya in some taxonomic treatments, resulting in the synonym Sperrya cervula. Based on iNaturalist records, it has been documented in at least 17 observations, indicating it is a rarely reported species with limited available natural history data. As a member of Geometridae, it belongs to a large family of moths commonly known as inchworms or loopers due to the characteristic larval locomotion.
Protoboarmia
porcelain gray (for P. porcelaria), dash-lined looper (for P. porcelaria)
Protoboarmia is a genus of geometrid moths in the subfamily Ennominae, containing at least two described species: P. porcelaria (porcelain gray, dash-lined looper) and P. simpliciaria. Larval stages have been documented from forest habitats, with eggs laid singly on conifer needles. The genus was established by McDunnough in 1920. Taxonomic status varies by source: Catalogue of Life and GBIF recognize Protoboarmia as valid, while some sources consider it synonymous with Alcis.
Protoboarmia porcelaria
Porcelain Gray, Dash-lined Looper
Protoboarmia porcelaria is a Geometrid moth commonly known as the Porcelain Gray or Dash-lined Looper. Adults are medium-sized with brown-gray wings marked by crossed curved lines and a distinctive black blotch. The species occurs throughout North America except the far north, with one generation annually in northern regions and two in southern areas. Larvae feed primarily on conifer foliage and overwinter in their penultimate instar stage.
Protoproutia
Protoproutia is a genus of geometrid moths erected by James Halliday McDunnough in 1939. The genus currently contains two recognized species: Protoproutia rusticaria (the type species) and Protoproutia laredoata. It belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae within the family Geometridae. The genus has been documented in citizen science observations, suggesting it is not exceptionally rare, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Psaliodes
Psaliodes is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. The genus was established by Achille Guenée in 1857. As a member of the Larentiinae, it belongs to a diverse group of carpet moths. The genus contains multiple species, though specific details about most species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Psamatodes
Psamatodes is a genus of geometrid moths erected by Achille Guenée in 1857. The genus contains at least 20 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Species-level taxonomy remains partially unresolved, with some names treated as synonyms in recent databases. The genus is placed in the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group of inchworm moths.
Psamatodes everiata
Psamatodes everiata is a geometrid moth distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species was described by Guenée in 1858 and is recognized by MONA/Hodges number 6333. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate P. e. everiata and P. e. errata.
Pterospoda nigrescens
Pterospoda nigrescens is a small geometrid moth with a wingspan of approximately 24 mm, distributed across arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species exhibits bivoltine flight patterns with primary activity periods in April and August in Arizona. Larvae have been successfully reared on Condalia species, specifically Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana, indicating a specialized host relationship with this shrub genus.
Pterospoda opuscularia
Pterospoda opuscularia is a geometrid moth in the subfamily Ennominae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1887. It is distributed across North America. The species is assigned Hodges number 6707 in the Moths of North America database.
Pterotaea miscella
Pterotaea miscella is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. Described by Rindge in 1970, this species is part of a genus of moths distributed in North America. The genus name Pterotaea derives from Greek roots referring to wing characteristics. Like other geometrid moths, adults likely have slender bodies and broad wings, with larvae that are inchworm-type caterpillars characteristic of the family.
Pterotaea plagia
Pterotaea plagia is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. Described by Rindge in 1970, this species belongs to a genus of North American geometrid moths. Records indicate it is present in North America. The genus Pterotaea contains multiple species of small to medium-sized moths, though specific details about P. plagia's biology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Rheumaptera subhastata
white-banded black moth
Rheumaptera subhastata is a geometrid moth occurring across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms, with a broad distribution in western North America. Adults are active in late spring and early summer, with a single annual generation. The species is one of two Rheumaptera in North America, closely related to and often confused with R. hastata.
Rheumaptera undulata
scallop shell
Rheumaptera undulata, commonly known as the scallop shell, is a geometrid moth with a wingspan of 25–30 mm. The species is characterized by pale forewings with numerous darker, wavy, evenly spaced crosslines and a scalloped fringe on the outer margin. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and occurs across the Palearctic realm and North America. Adults are active from late May to August in Europe, with one generation per year. The larvae feed on a diverse range of woody plants including birch, willow, Vaccinium species, aspen, and others.
Rindgea cyda
Rindgea cyda is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. The species is known from Middle America and North America. Beyond taxonomic classification and geographic records, specific biological and ecological information for this species remains poorly documented in the available literature.
Rindgea flaviterminata
Rindgea flaviterminata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, originally described from North America. The specific epithet "flaviterminata" refers to yellow terminal markings on the wings. This species is currently treated as a synonym of Digrammia flaviterminata.
Rindgea maricopa
Rindgea maricopa is a species of geometrid moth described by George Duryea Hulst in 1898. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Digrammia maricopa, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions within the Geometridae. Like other members of this family, it is a nocturnal moth with larvae that are likely folivorous, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented. The species epithet "maricopa" references Maricopa County or the Maricopa region of Arizona, suggesting a southwestern North American distribution.
Rindgea stipularia
Rindgea stipularia is a species of geometrid moth originally described from North America. The species has been moved between genera, currently recognized as Digrammia stipularia by some authorities while retaining the original combination Rindgea stipularia in other treatments. As a member of Geometridae, it belongs to a diverse family of moths commonly known as inchworms or loopers due to their characteristic larval locomotion. The species was described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913, reflecting early 20th-century lepidopterological work in North America.
Rindgea subterminata
Rindgea subterminata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. It belongs to the genus Rindgea, a group of North American moths characterized by relatively plain, grayish-brown coloration and subtle wing patterns. The species is known from western North America, where adults are active during the summer months.
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.
Sabulodes
Sabulodes is a genus of geometrid moths (Geometridae: Ennominae) first described by Achille Guenée in 1857. The genus contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with some species occurring in the Neotropics. Several species have been documented as forest defoliators, including Sabulodes glaucularia, which has been reported as a pest of Pinus patula, Cupressus lusitanica, and Eucalyptus in Colombian forests. The genus is taxonomically well-established but individual species-level biology remains incompletely documented.
Sabulodes aegrotata
Omnivorous Looper
Sabulodes aegrotata, commonly known as the omnivorous looper, is a geometrid moth native to northwestern North America. The species is notable for its broad larval diet spanning multiple plant families, including alder, willow, and California bay laurel. Adults are active year-round and possess a wingspan of 35–44 mm. The species serves as a host for egg parasitoids in the families Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae.
Sabulodes dissimilis
Sabulodes dissimilis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae, originally described as Phengommataea dissimilis by Hulst in 1898. The species is currently accepted under the genus Sabulodes. As a geometrid moth, it belongs to a large and diverse group commonly known as inchworms or loopers, characterized by their distinctive larval locomotion. The specific epithet 'dissimilis' suggests dissimilarity or difference, though the original description does not specify the basis for this naming. The species has been documented in North America based on distribution records.
Sabulodes olifata
Sabulodes olifata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. It was described by Guedet in 1939. The genus Sabulodes includes several North American species, with S. olifata being one of the less commonly documented members. Available information on this species is limited, with only six observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Scelidacantha
Scelidacantha is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. It was established by George Duryea Hulst in 1896 and contains two recognized species: S. narosa and S. triseriata. The genus is rarely encountered in collections and field observations, with limited published information available on its biology.
Scopula aemulata
Imitator Wave, Rival Wave
Scopula aemulata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as the imitator wave or rival wave. The species was described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896 and has a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States. It is one of approximately 237 observations recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by citizen scientists and naturalists.
Scopula benitaria
Scopula benitaria is a small geometrid moth first described from North America in 1913. It is one of many species in the diverse genus Scopula, commonly known as wave moths due to the wavy transverse lines on their wings. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States, particularly New Mexico and Texas. Like other members of the family Geometridae, its larvae are likely 'inchworms' with reduced prolegs, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Scopula cacuminaria
Frosted Tan Wave
Scopula cacuminaria, commonly known as the frosted tan wave, is a small geometrid moth described by Herbert Knowles Morrison in 1874. Adults have a wingspan of 18–23 mm and are active in July in Alberta, Canada. The species occurs across southern Canada from the Maritimes to southern British Columbia, extending south to Texas.
Scopula compensata
small frosted wave, Dark-marked Wave
Scopula compensata is a small geometrid moth of the family Geometridae, described by Francis Walker in 1861. The species is known by two common names: 'small frosted wave' (traditional) and 'Dark-marked Wave' (preferred on iNaturalist). It is restricted to the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The wingspan is approximately 15 mm. Like other members of the genus Scopula, the larvae are inchworm-type caterpillars that feed on various plants.
Scopula luteolata
Scopula luteolata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Sterrhinae. It is restricted to western North America, occurring in montane habitats from southwestern Canada through the western United States. The species is associated with forest edge and opening habitats in mountainous regions. Adults have a wingspan of 23–26 mm. Like other geometrid moths, its larvae are likely 'inchworm' type caterpillars, though specific host plant associations remain poorly documented.