Inchworm

Description:

The caterpillars bear just two or three pairs of prolegs near their hind ends, instead of the five pairs found in most butterfly or moth larvae. With no legs in the middle section of its body, a Geometer moth caterpillar moves in a looping fashion. It anchors itself with the rear prolegs, extends its body forward, and then pulls its hind end up to meet its front end. Thanks to this method of locomotion, these caterpillars go by various nicknames, including inchworms, spanworms, loopers, and measuringworms. Adult geometer moths vary from small to medium in size, with slender bodies and broad wings sometimes decorated with thin, wavy lines. Some species are sexually dimorphic. Females in a few species lack wings entirely.

Habitat:

Inchworms are generally found in areas with dense tree populations. Depending on the species, inchworms will enjoy spending time in apple or other fruit groves, or oak or elm forests, though any deciduous trees are fair game. Vegetable gardens, especially where celery, cabbage or radishes are being grown, are also on the menu.