Bug Identifier
Inchworm (Geometer moth larva)
Community identification

Inchworm (Geometer moth larva)

Geometridae species

Order & Family
Lepidoptera: Geometridae
Size
10 to 25 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens, forests, and urban areas with deciduous trees and shrubs

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous, primarily feeding on the leaves of various plants, shrubs, and trees

Behavior Patterns

Features a unique 'looping' movement due to missing middle prolegs; often uses camouflage to resemble twigs or leaf veins when threatened

Risks & Benefits

Most species are harmless, though large populations can cause minor defoliation of garden plants; they serve as an important food source for birds and predatory insects