
Community identification
Inchworm (Geometer moth caterpillar)
Family Geometridae
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Geometridae
- Size
- 10mm to 25mm in length
Natural Habitat
Gardens, forests, and residential areas on host plants
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; feeds on the leaves of various trees, shrubs, and garden plants
Behavior Patterns
Moves with a distinctive looping gait by gripping with front legs and pulling its rear forward; often uses camouflage to look like a small twig when still
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans; certain species can be garden pests if they defoliate plants, but they serve as an important food source for birds