geometrid moth

geometrid moth

insect
      any member of a group of moths (order Lepidoptera) that includes the species commonly known as pug, wave, emerald, and carpet moths. The larvae of geometrid moths are called by a variety of common names, including inchworm, cankerworm, looper, and measuring worm. The moths themselves are sometimes called measuring worm moths.

      Adult geometrids have slender bodies and broad wings. Although many species resemble dried, dead leaves, there are some brightly coloured ones, especially in the tropics. When preparing to land they tend to select a background coloration that matches their own colour pattern.

      The distinctive colour patterns of certain species warn predators of their foul taste. Some species have wingless females (e.g., the European winter moth Operophtera brumata).

      Research using the currant, or magpie, moth (Abraxas grossulariata) led to the discovery of sex-linked characters (i.e., genetic characters determined by genes on the sex chromosomes). Dark and light forms of the peppered moth (Biston betularia) are used in studying industrial melanism (e.g., environmental effects on colour changes).

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • geometrid moth — noun slender bodied broad winged moth whose larvae are called measuring worms • Syn: ↑geometrid • Hypernyms: ↑moth • Hyponyms: ↑Paleacrita vernata, ↑Alsophila pometaria • Member Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • geometrid moth — noun Any of the various moths of the family Geometridae. Syn: geometer moth, geometrid …   Wiktionary

  • moth — /mawth, moth/, n., pl. moths /mawdhz, modhz, mawths, moths/. 1. any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, generally distinguished from the butterflies by having feathery antennae and by having crepuscular or nocturnal habits. 2. See… …   Universalium

  • geometrid — noun a) Any of the various moths of the family Geometridae. b) A larva of such moth, which when walking alternate legs and prolegs, giving the appearance of measuring. Syn: geometer moth, geometrid mo …   Wiktionary

  • geometrid — noun slender bodied broad winged moth whose larvae are called measuring worms • Syn: ↑geometrid moth • Hypernyms: ↑moth • Hyponyms: ↑Paleacrita vernata, ↑Alsophila pometaria • Member Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • geometrid — adj. [Gr. ge, earth; metron, measure] (ARTHROPODA: Insecta) A larva whose movements resemble a looping motion moving tail to head, such as the geometrid moth larva (Geometridae) measuring worms ; geometroid; see rectigrade …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • geometrid — /jee om i trid/, adj. 1. belonging or pertaining to the family Geometridae, comprising slender bodied, broad winged moths, the larvae of which are called measuring worms. n. 2. a geometrid moth. [1860 65; < NL Geometridae, equiv. to Geometr(a) a… …   Universalium

  • geometrid — ge•om•e•trid [[t]dʒiˈɒm ɪ trɪd[/t]] adj. 1) ent belonging or pertaining to the family Geometridae, comprising slender bodied, broad winged moths, the larvae of which are called measuring worms 2) ent a geometrid moth • Etymology: 1860–65; < NL …   From formal English to slang

  • geometrid — /dʒiˈɒmətrɪd/ (say jee omuhtrid) adjective 1. of or relating to the moths of the family Geometridae, the larvae of which are called measuring worms or loopers. –noun 2. a geometrid moth. {New Latin Geōmetridae, from Latin geōmetra geometer} …  

  • geometrid — [dʒɪ ɒmɪtrɪd] noun Entomology a moth of a large family (Geometridae), distinguished by having twig like caterpillars that move by looping and straightening the body. Origin C19: from mod. L. Geometridae, from the genus name Geometra, from L.… …   English new terms dictionary

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