measuring worm

measuring worm
n.
the caterpillar of any geometrid moth: it moves by alternately advancing the front end of its body and bringing the rear end forward to form a loop

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larva
also called  Looper,  Cankerworm,  or  Inchworm 
 the larva of any of a large group of moths in the order Lepidoptera. Because the larva lacks the middle pair of legs, it moves in a characteristic “inching,” or “looping,” gait by extending the front part of the body and bringing the rear up to meet it. The larvae resemble twigs or leaf stems, feed on foliage, and often seriously damage or destroy trees and crops. The spring cankerworm (species Paleacrita vernata) and the fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria) attack fruit and shade trees, skeletonizing the leaves and spinning threads between the branches. Pupation usually occurs in the soil without a cocoon. Because of their distinctive larvae, the name measuring worm moth is sometimes applied to certain members of the Geometridae (see geometrid moth).

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Measuring worm — Measuring Meas ur*ing, a. Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by measure. [1913 Webster] {Measuring faucet}, a faucet which permits only a given quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or one by means of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • measuring worm — ☆ measuring worm n. the caterpillar of any geometrid moth: it moves by alternately advancing the front end of its body and bringing the rear end forward to form a loop …   English World dictionary

  • measuring-worm — measuring wormˈ noun A looper caterpillar • • • Main Entry: ↑measure …   Useful english dictionary

  • measuring worm — noun Date: 1843 looper 1 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • measuring worm — noun The larva of a moth of the family Geometridae. Syn: geometrid, inchworm, looper, spanworm …   Wiktionary

  • measuring worm — noun another term for looper …   English new terms dictionary

  • measuring worm — /ˈmɛʒərɪŋ wɜm/ (say mezhuhring werm) noun the larva of any geometrid moth, which progresses by bringing the rear end of the body forward and then advancing the front end; a looper; an inchworm …  

  • measuring worm —    Ami …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • measuring worm — noun small hairless caterpillar having legs on only its front and rear segments; mostly larvae of moths of the family Geometridae • Syn: ↑inchworm, ↑looper • Hypernyms: ↑caterpillar …   Useful english dictionary

  • Measuring — Meas ur*ing, a. Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by measure. [1913 Webster] {Measuring faucet}, a faucet which permits only a given quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or one by means of which the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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