Inchworm (Geometer moth caterpillar)

Natural Habitat

Deciduous and coniferous forests, gardens, and shrublands

Diet & Feeding

Generalist herbivores that feed on the leaves of broadleaf trees, shrubs, and sometimes fruit crops

Behavior Patterns

Distinctive 'looping' locomotion caused by lacking mid-abdominal prolegs; many species exhibit twig-mimicry as a defense mechanism against predators

Risks & Benefits

Can be agricultural or forest pests when populations reach high densities (defoliation); they are crucial ecosystem components as a primary food source for birds and other wildlife

Identified on: 12/26/2025