Measuring worm (Cankerworm / Inchworm)

Natural Habitat

Deciduous forests, orchards, and gardens with broadleaf trees and shrubs.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous caterpillars that feed on the foliage of trees and plants, primarily deciduous leaves.

Behavior Patterns

Notable for their looping movement pattern caused by having prolegs only at the front and back of the body. They often use camouflage, mimicking small twigs or stems when threatened.

Risks & Benefits

They are generally harmless to humans. While they provide food for birds and predatory insects, large infestations can cause significant defoliation to host trees and agricultural crops.

Identified on: 4/1/2026