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Geometridae

(Family)

Overview

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The geometer moths or Geometridae are a of the order Lepidoptera. A very large family, it has around 26,000 species of moths described (over 300 of which occur in the British Isles, and over 1,200 species indigenous to North America). A well-known member is the Peppered Moth, Biston betularia, which has been subject of numerous studies in population genetics. Several other geometer moths are rather notorious pests.

Adults

Many Geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible. As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths: the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend in to the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wi ngs. In some species, females have reduced wings (e.g. winter moth and fall cankerworm).

Most are of moderate size, about 3 cm in wingspan, but a range of sizes occur from 3/8 in. to 2 in. (9.5-51 mm). They have distinctive paired tympanal organs at the base of the abdomen (lacking in flightless females).

Caterpillars

Caterpillar locomotion

The name "Geometridae" ultimately derives from geometer ("earth-measurer"). This refers to the means of locomotion of the larvae or caterpillars, which lack the prolegs of other Lepidopteran caterpillars in the midd le portion of the body, with only two or three pairs an the end. Equipped with appendages at both ends of the body, a caterpillar will clasp with its front legs and draw up the hind end, then clasp with the hind end (prolegs) and reach out for a new front attachment - creating the impression that it is measuring its journey. The caterpillars are accordingly called loopers, spanworms, or inchworms after their characteristic looping gait. The cabbage looper is not an inchworm, but a caterpillar of a different family. They are about about 2.5 cm or 1 inch in length. They tend to be green, grey, or brownish and hide from predators by fading into the background or resembling twigs. Many inchworms, when disturbed, stand erect and motionless on the prolegs, increasing the resemblance. Some have humps or filaments (see Filament-bearer image). They are seldom hairy or gregarious and are generally smooth. Typically they eat leaves. However, some eat lichen, flowers or pollen. Some, such as the Hawaiian species of the genus Eupithecia, are even carnivorous. Certain destructive inchworms are called cankerworms.

Systematics

The placement of the example species follows a 1990 systematic; it may be outdated. Families are tentatively sorted in a phylogenetic sequence, from the most basal to the most advanced. Traditionally the Archiearinae were held to be the most ancient of the geometer moth lineages, as their caterpillars have well-developed prolegs. However, it nowadays seems that the Larentiinae are actually older, as indicated by their numerous plesiomorphies and DNA sequence data. They are either an extremely basal lineage of the Geometridae – together with the Sterrhinae –, or might even be considered a separate family of Geometroidea. As regards the Archiearinae, some species that were traditionally placed ther ein actually seem to belong to other subfamilies; altogether it seems that in a few cases, the prolegs which were originally lost in the ancestral geometer moths re-evolved as an atavism.[1]

Larentiinae - about 5,800 species, includes the pug moths, mostly temperate. Might be a distinct family.[1]

Sterrhinae - about 2,800 species, mostly tropical. Might belong to same family as Larentiinae.[2]

Desmobathrinae - pantropical

Geometrinae - emerald moths, about 2,300 named species, most tropical

Archiearinae - 12[verification needed] species; Holarctic, southern Andes and Tasmania, though the latter some seem to belong to the Ennominae[3]. Larvae have all the prolegs except most are reduced.

Oenochrominae - in some treatments used as a "wastebin taxon" for genera that are difficult to place in other groups.

Alsophilinae - a few genera, defoliators of trees. Might belong in the Ennominae, tribe Boarmiini[3].

Ennominae - about 9,700 species, including some defoliating pests; global distribution.

Geometridae genera incertae sedis include:

Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Family Geometridae is a member of the Superfamily Geometroidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Geometridae:

The Family Geometridae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Abraxas

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[1] [more]

Acasis

[more]

Acidalia

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[2] [more]

Actinoloba

[more]

Acypha

[more]

Aeolochroma

[more]

Aethalura

[more]

Agriopis

[more]

Alcis

[more]

Aleucis

[more]

Alsophila

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[3] [more]

Amoebotricha

Amraica

Anaboarmia

[more]

Anacamptodes

[more]

Anavitrinelia

[more]

Anavitrinella

[more]

Angerona

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Anisodes

[more]

Antepione

[more]

Anticlea

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[4] [more]

Anticollix

[more]

Antonechloris

Aperia

Apicia

[more]

Aplocera

[more]

Apochima

[more]

Apodasmia

[more]

Apodrepanulatrix

[more]

Aporhoptrina

Apostates

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Archiearis

[more]

Archirhoe

[more]

Aria

An aria ( for air; plural: arie or arias in common usage) in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment. Perhaps the most common context for arias is opera, although there are many arias that form movements of oratorios and cantatas. Composers also wrote 'concert arias', which are not part of any larger work, such as "Ah Perfido" by Beethoven, and a number of concert arias by Mozart. [more]

Arichanna

[more]

Ascotis

[more]

Asovia

[more]

Aspilates

[more]

Aspitates

[more]

Asthena

[more]

Auaxa

[more]

Austrocidaria

Authaemon

[more]

Auzeodes

[more]

Axiagasta

[more]

Bapta

Baptria

[more]

Bathycolpodes

[more]

Besma

[more]

Biston

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[5] [more]

Bizia

Boarmia

[more]

Brabira

[more]

Brachyglossina

[more]

Brephos

[more]

Bustilloxia

Cabera

[more]

Callisteuma

[more]

Callygris

[more]

Calospilos

[more]

Calothysanis

[more]

Campaea

[more]

Camptogramma

[more]

Carige

[more]

Caripeta

[more]

Carphoides

[more]

Carsia

[more]

Casbia

[more]

Casilda

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Celonoptera

[more]

Cepphis

[more]

Ceratodalia

[more]

Ceratonyx

[more]

Chaetolopha

[more]

Charissa

[more]

Cheimatobia

[more]

Chesiadodes

[more]

Chesias

[more]

Cheteoscelis

[more]

Chiasmia

[more]

Chloraspilates

[more]

Chlorochlamys

[more]

Chloroclysta

[more]

Chloroclystis

[more]

Chlorodrepana

[more]

Chloroglyphica

[more]

Chloropteryx

[more]

Chlorosea

[more]

Chondrosoma

[more]

Chorodna

[more]

Chrysolarentia

[more]

Cidaria

[more]

Cingilia

[more]

Cinglis

[more]

Cirrhosoma

[more]

Cladara

[more]

Cleora

[more]

Cochisea

[more]

Coenotephria

[more]

Colocleora

[more]

Colostygia

[more]

Comibaena

[more]

Comostola

[more]

Compsoptera

[more]

Corymica

[more]

Coryphista

[more]

Costaconvexa

[more]

Costignophos

Cotta

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[6] [more]

Crocallis

[more]

Cryphaea

[more]

Cryptochorina

[more]

Ctenognophos

[more]

Culcula

[more]

Culpinia

[more]

Cusiala

[more]

Cyclophora

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[7] [more]

Cymatophora

[more]

Cystidia

A cystidium (plural cystidia) is a relatively large cell found on the of a basidiomycete (for example, on the surface of a mushroom gill), often between clusters of basidia. Since cystidia have highly varied and distinct shapes that are often unique to a particular species or genus, they are a useful micromorphological characteristic in the identification of basidiomycetes. In general, the adaptive significance of cystidia is not well understood. [more]

Dasyfidonia

[more]

Dasyternica

Dasyuris

[more]

Deilinia

Descoreba

Descoreggba

Diactinia

[more]

Dichorda

[more]

Dichordophora

[more]

Dichromodes

[more]

Dicrognophos

[more]

Digrammia

[more]

Dindica

[more]

Dioptrochasma

[more]

Diploctena

Diplodesma

Disclisioprocta

[more]

Discoglypha

[more]

Discoloxia

[more]

Drepanogynis

[more]

Drepanulatrix

[more]

Duliophyle

[more]

Dyspteris

[more]

Dysstroma

[more]

Ecliptopera

[more]

Ecpetelia

Ectephrina

[more]

Ectropis

[more]

Eilicrinia

[more]

Elophos

[more]

Ematurga

[more]

Enanthyperythra

[more]

Enantiodes

[more]

Enconista

[more]

Endropiodes

[more]

Ennomos

[more]

Entephria

[more]

Entogonia

[more]

Enypia

[more]

Eois

[more]

Epelis

[more]

Epholca

Epilobophola

Epimecis

[more]

Epione

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[8] [more]

Epiplema

[more]

Epirranthis

[more]

Epirrhoe

[more]

Epirrita

Epirrita is a genus of . They are on the wing from late August to November. [more]

Episemasia

[more]

Episteira

Glochidion are a taxon of plants in the Phyllanthaceae. It comprises about 300 species, distributed from Madagascar to the Pacific Islands. Glochidion species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Aenetus eximia and Endoclita damor. [more]

Epyaxa

Erannis

[more]

Erastria

[more]

Euacidalia

[more]

Eubaphe

[more]

Eucaterva

[more]

Euchlaena

[more]

Euchloris

Euchoeca

[more]

Euchrognophos

Eucosmabraxas

Eucryphodes

Eucyclodes

[more]

Eudeilinia

[more]

Eudrepanulatrix

[more]

Eufidonia

[more]

Eugonobapta

[more]

Eulithis

[more]

Eumacaria

Eumannia

[more]

Eumelia

[more]

Euphyia

[more]

Eupithecia

Eupithecia is a large of moths of the family Geometridae. There are hundreds of described species, found in all parts of the world, and new species are discovered on a regular basis. [more]

Eupsamma

[more]

Eurhinosea

[more]

Eurranthis

[more]

Eusarca

[more]

Eustroma

[more]

Eutrapela

[more]

Evecliptopera

[more]

Exelis

[more]

Fascellina

[more]

Fernaldella

Fidonia

[more]

Gabriola

Gabriola Island is one of the in the Strait of Georgia, in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Gabriola lies about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, to which it is linked by ferry. It has a land area of about 57.6 square kilometres (22.2 sq mi) and a resident population of slightly more than 4,000. [more]

Gagitodes

Galenara

[more]

Gandaritis

[more]

Garaeus

[more]

Gelasma

[more]

Gellonia

[more]

Geodena

[more]

Geometra

[more]

Georgiana

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[9] [more]

Glacies

[more]

Glaucina

[more]

Glena

[more]

Glenoides

[more]

Glossotrophia

[more]

Gnophos

[more]

Godonela

[more]

Godonella

[more]

Gonodontis

[more]

Graphidipus

[more]

Guara

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[10] [more]

Gueneria

[more]

Haematopis

[more]

Hammaptera

[more]

Heliomata

[more]

Hemimorina

[more]

Hemithea

[more]

Herbulotina

Hesperumia

[more]

Heterarmia

[more]

Heterolocha

[more]

Heterophleps

[more]

Heterostegane

[more]

Heterothera

[more]

Heterusia

[more]

Hethemia

[more]

Holochroa

[more]

Homochlodes

[more]

Horisme

[more]

Hulstina

[more]

Hydrelia

[more]

Hydria

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[11] [more]

Hydriomena

[more]

Hylemera

[more]

Hypagyrtis

[more]

Hypephyra

[more]

Hyperborea

In the Hyperboreans were a mythical people who lived far to the north of Thrace. The Greeks thought that Boreas, the North Wind, lived in Thrace, and that therefore Hyperborea was an unspecified region in the northern lands that lay beyond Scythia. Their land, called Hyperborea or Hyperboria — "beyond the Boreas" — was perfect, with the sun shining twenty-four hours a day. [more]

Hyperetis

[more]

Hyperythra

[more]

Hypochrosis

[more]

Hypocoela

[more]

Hypomecis

[more]

Idaea

Idaea can mean: [more]

Iodis

Iridopsis

[more]

Isturgia

[more]

Itame

[more]

Jankowskia

[more]

Jodis

[more]

Kemtrognophos

Kuchleria

[more]

Laciniodes

[more]

Lambdina

[more]

Lampropteryx

[more]

Lamproteryx

Larentia

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[12] [more]

Lassaba

Leptostales

Lidosoma

Limeria

[more]

Lissocraspeda

[more]

Lithostege

[more]

Lobocleta

[more]

Lobophora

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[13] [more]

Lomographa

[more]

Lophorrhachia

[more]

Lophosis

Luxiaria

[more]

Lychnosea

[more]

Lycia

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[14] [more]

Lygris

Lytrosis

[more]

Macaria

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[15] [more]

Martania

Matilda

[more]

Mauna

[more]

Maxates

[more]

Megalycinia

[more]

Megaspilates

[more]

Melanchroia

[more]

Melanolophia

[more]

Melanthia

[more]

Melemaea

[more]

Melinodes

Mellilla

[more]

Menophra

[more]

Merochlora

[more]

Mesoleuca

[more]

Mesothea

[more]

Mesotype

[more]

Metallospora

[more]

Metanema

[more]

Metarranthis

[more]

Metrocampa

[more]

Metron

Metron can refer to: [more]

Microcalcarifera

[more]

Microdes

Microgonia

[more]

Microloxia

[more]

Microlygris

Mimaplasta

[more]

Monoctenia

[more]

Myinodes

[more]

Myrteta

[more]

Nacophora

[more]

Narraga

[more]

Naxa

[more]

Nematocampa

[more]

Nemoria

[more]

Neoalcis

[more]

Neognopharmia

[more]

Neognophina

Neostega

[more]

Neoterpes

[more]

Neothysanis

[more]

Nepheloleuca

[more]

Nepterotaea

[more]

Nepytia

[more]

Ninodes

[more]

Notoreas

[more]

Nychiodes

[more]

Nyctidroma

Obeidia

[more]

Ochrognesia

[more]

Odontognophos

[more]

Oenoptila

[more]

Oncopus

[more]

Onychodes

Operophtera

[more]

Oporinia

[more]

Oreta

[more]

Orillia

Orillia, ( population 30,259 ; CA population 40,532 — 39th largest Canadian city in terms of population) pronounced oril'e?, is a city located in Simcoe County in Southern (South-Central) Ontario, Canada, between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. It is about 135 kilometres north of Toronto. [more]

Ortaliella

[more]

Orthocabera

Orthofidonia

[more]

Ortholitha

[more]

Orthonama

[more]

Orthonoma

Ourapteryx

[more]

Oxydia

[more]

Oxyfidonia

[more]

Oxymacaria

[more]

Ozola

[more]

Pachyodes

Paleacrita

[more]

Palyas

[more]

Panulia

[more]

Parabapta

[more]

Paraboarmia

[more]

Paradarisa

[more]

Parapheromia

[more]

Pareclipsis

[more]

Parectropis

[more]

Pareulype

[more]

Pasiphila

Patalene

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[16] [more]

Pennithera

[more]

Peratophyga

[more]

Peratostega

Percnia

[more]

Perconia

[more]

Peribatodes

[more]

Perizoma

[more]

Pero

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[17] [more]

Petelia

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Petrophora

[more]

Phaeoura

[more]

Phaiogramma

[more]

Phanerothyris

[more]

Pherne

[more]

Phibalapteryx

[more]

Phigalia

Phigalia, or Phigaleia (Greek F??a?e?a or F????e?a) is an ancient Greek city in the south-west angle of . It is also the present name of a nearby modern village, known up to the 20th century as Pavlitsa (?a???tsa). In modern geography it is located in the southeastern Ilia Prefecture. It is situated on an elevated rocky site, among some of the highest mountains in the Peloponnese, the most conspicuous being Mt Cotylium and Mt Elasum; the identification of the latter is uncertain. [more]

Philedia

[more]

Philereme

[more]

Philtraea

[more]

Photoscotosia

[more]

Phrissogonus

Phrudocentra

[more]

Phrygionis

[more]

Phthonosema

[more]

Pigiopsis

[more]

Pimaphera

[more]

Pingasa

[more]

Pityeja

[more]

Plagodis

[more]

Planociampa

[more]

Plataea

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[18] [more]

Plectoneura

[more]

Plemyria

[more]

Plesanemma

[more]

Plesiomorpha

Pleuroplucha

[more]

Pleuroprucha

[more]

Polymixinia

[more]

Polystroma

[more]

Porona

[more]

Prasinocyma

[more]

Probole

[more]

Prochoerodes

[more]

Prorella

[more]

Proteuchloris

[more]

Protitame

[more]

Protoboarmia

[more]

Protoproutia

[more]

Psamathia

Samatya (: , pr. Psamatheia) is part of the Fatih district of Istanbul. It is located along the Marmara Sea, and borders to the west on the neighbourhood of Yedikule (the "Castle of the Seven Towers"). The name originates from the Greek word ?aµ????? (pr. Psamathion), meaning "sandy", because of the great quantity of sand found in the neighborhood. [more]

Psamatodes

[more]

Pseudostegania

Pseudoterpna

[more]

Psilalcis

[more]

Psodos

[more]

Psychophora

[more]

Pterospoda

[more]

Pterotaea

[more]

Purpuraria

[more]

Pycnostega

[more]

Pylargosceles

[more]

Racheospila

[more]

Racotis

[more]

Rheumaptera

[more]

Rhinoprora

[more]

Rhodochlora

[more]

Rhodostrophia

[more]

Rhopalognophos

Rhynchobapta

[more]

Rikiosatoa

[more]

Sabulodes

[more]

Sarracena

[more]

Satoblephara

Sciadia

[more]

Sciagraphia

[more]

Scopula

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[19] [more]

Scotopteryx

[more]

Selenia

A genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[20] [more]

Selidosema

[more]

Semaeopus

[more]

Semiaspilates

[more]

Semiothisa

[more]

Sericosema

[more]

Sibatania

[more]

Sicya

[more]

Sicyodes

[more]

Similaria

Similaria is a genus of the Salticidae family (jumping spiders). Its single described species is found in India. [more]

Somatina

[more]

Somatolophia

[more]

Spargania

[more]

Speranza

Sphacelodes

[more]

Sphingomima

[more]

Spodolepis

[more]

Stamnodes

[more]

Stenoporpia

[more]

Synaxis

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[21] [more]

Synchlora

[more]

Synegia

[more]

Synopsia

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Tacparia

[more]

Taeniogramma

Tanaorhinus

[more]

Taxeotis

[more]

Tephrina

[more]

Tephroclystia

[more]

Tephronia

[more]

Tetracis

[more]

Thalassodes

[more]

Thallogama

Thallophaga

[more]

Thera

Santorini (: , pronounced [?sa(n)do?'rini]) is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast from Greece's mainland. It is also known as Thera (or Thira, Greek T??a ['?ira]), forming the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km² (28 mi²) and a 2001 census population of 13,670. It is composed of the Municipality of Thira (pop. 12,440) and the Community of Oía (??a, pop. 1,230, which includes 268 inhabitants resident on the offshore island of Therasia, lying to the west). These have a total land area of 90.623 km², which also includes the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana (all part of the Municipality of Thira). [more]

Thetidia

[more]

Thinopteryx

[more]

Thysanopyga

[more]

Timandra

Timandra has several senses. [more]

Titea

[more]

Tornos

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[22] [more]

Tracheops

[more]

Tricentra

[more]

Trichodezia

[more]

Trichopteryx

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Trigrammia

Triphosa

[more]

Tyloptera

[more]

Typloptera

[more]

Urania

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Venusia

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[23] [more]

Victoria

A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

Vinemina

[more]

Xandramea

Xandrames

[more]

Xanthorhoe

[more]

Xanthorrhoe

Xanthotype

[more]

Xanthyris

[more]

Xenostega

[more]

Xerochlora

[more]

Xerodes

[more]

Xylina

[more]

Zenophleps

[more]

Zethenia

[more]

At least 18 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Zethenia.

More info about the Genus Zethenia may be found here.

References

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Footnotes

[ Back to top ]
  1. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Abraxas&search=Search
  2. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Acidalia&search=Search
  3. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Alsophila&search=Search
  4. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Anticlea&search=Search
  5. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Biston&search=Search
  6. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Cotta&search=Search
  7. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Cyclophora&search=Search
  8. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Epione&search=Search
  9. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Georgiana&search=Search
  10. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Guara&search=Search
  11. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Hydria&search=Search
  12. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Larentia&search=Search
  13. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Lobophora&search=Search
  14. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Lycia&search=Search
  15. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Macaria&search=Search
  16. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Patalene&search=Search
  17. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Pero&search=Search
  18. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Plataea&search=Search
  19. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Scopula&search=Search
  20. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Selenia&search=Search
  21. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Synaxis&search=Search
  22. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Tornos&search=Search
  23. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Venusia&search=Search
  1. ^ a b Õunap et al. (2008), Young (2008)
  2. ^ Õunap et al. (2008)
  3. ^ a b Young (2008)

Sources

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Last Revised: January 24, 2010
2010/01/24 02:44:34