Inchworms
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.
Cyclophora
Mochas
A genus of moths in the family Geometridae, commonly known as mochas. Adults are small to medium-sized with relatively plain, brownish coloration. Caterpillars exhibit the reduced proleg count characteristic of geometrids, possessing only two or three pairs of prolegs rather than the typical five pairs found in most moth larvae. This morphological trait produces the characteristic looping gait that gives geometrid caterpillars their common name of inchworms or loopers.
Dichordophorini
Dichordophorini is a tribe of moths within the family Geometridae. The tribe contains the genus Dichordophora and related taxa. Members are geometrid moths, commonly known as inchworms or loopers due to the characteristic larval locomotion. The tribe is part of the diverse Geometridae family, one of the largest families of Lepidoptera.
Ennominae
geometer moths
Ennominae is the largest subfamily of Geometridae, containing approximately 9,700 described species in 1,100 genera. Adults range from small to moderately large, with wingspans typically between 15 and 50 mm. The subfamily has a global distribution and includes several economically significant defoliating pest species. Larvae are characterized by having only two pairs of prolegs at the posterior end, producing the distinctive looping locomotion that gives the family its common name of inchworms or loopers.
Geometridae
geometer moths, geometrid moths, inchworms, spanworms, loopers, cankerworms, measuring worms
Geometridae is one of the largest families of moths, with approximately 23,000 described species worldwide. The family name derives from Greek "geo" (earth) and "metron" (measure), referring to the distinctive looping locomotion of their larvae, commonly called inchworms or loopers. These caterpillars possess only two or three pairs of prolegs at the posterior end, compared to five or more pairs in most other Lepidoptera, forcing them to arch their bodies in a characteristic "measuring" gait. Adults are typically nocturnal with slender bodies and broad wings, often exhibiting cryptic coloration that provides camouflage against bark and vegetation.
Geometroidea
Geometrid and Swallowtail Moths
Geometroidea is a superfamily of moths within Lepidoptera containing more than 24,000 described species across five families: Geometridae (the largest), Uraniidae, Epicopeiidae, Sematuridae, and Pseudobistonidae. The superfamily is notable for its exceptional diversity in form and habitat, with members ranging from small, cryptically colored inchworms to large, iridescent swallowtail moths. The family Geometridae alone represents one of the most species-rich lepidopteran families, with larvae commonly known as inchworms or loopers due to their distinctive locomotion.