geometrid

American  

[jee-om-i-trid] / dʒiˈɒm ɪ trɪd /

adjective

1. belonging or relating to the family Geometridae, comprising slender-bodied, broad-winged moths, the larvae of which are called inchworms.

   In one lowland rainforest, they recorded more than 400 geometrid species.

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noun

1. Also geometrid moth any moth of the family Geometridae, comprising slender-bodied, broad-winged moths, the larvae of which are called inchworms, including cankerworms and hemlock loopers.

geometrid British  

/ dʒɪˈɒmɪtrɪd /

noun

1. any moth of the family Geometridae, the larvae of which are called measuring worms, inchworms, or loopers

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Geometridae

Etymology

Origin of geometrid

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin Geometridae, from Geometr(a), a genus name ( see geometer; so called because the larva seems to measure the ground with its looping motion) + -idae -id ²

Example Sentences

However, a new genus and species from the Geometrid moth family described in the scientific journal ZooKeys tell a different story.

From Science Daily • Nov. 13, 2023

Geometrid: larva which, when walking, alternately elevate and straighten the middle of their body: opposed to rectigrade; q.v.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

Among the Lepidoptera, we notice a reduction in the number of pro-legs in the 'looper' caterpillars of Geometrid moths.

From The Life-Story of Insects by Carpenter, George H. (George Herbert)

—Dr. Packard's "Monograph of the Geometrid Moths"14 is the next important publication of this survey.

From The Galaxy, June 1877 Vol. XXIII.—June, 1877.—No. 6. by Various