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| (donherbisonevans@yahoo.com) and Stella Crossley |
 eggs |  caterpillars |  pupae |  moths |  undersides |  forewings |
There are more than 1,270 named Australian species in GEOMETRIDAE.
Here some notable species are listed here in their subfamilies and tribes.
ARCHIEARINAE 5 species 
| DIPTYCHINI 173 species 
| (except DIPTYCHINI) 275 species 
| GEOMETRINAE 165 species
| LARENTIINAE 271 species 
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241 species 
| 140 species 
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Many of the Caterpillars of GEOMETRIDAE pull their bodies into loops as they move. These Caterpillars lack the first two or three pairs of ventral prolegs, so that looping is their best means of progression. This movement gives them some of their names. Their latin name means "earth measurer". They are often called Inch Worms because they measure off about one inch at a time as they progress. This method of progression has been suggested as being specially suitable for moving over rough terrain.
Some Caterpillars of this family are also called Twig Caterpillars because they can raise themselves and stand on their claspers, sticking straight out at an angle, and so looking like a twig.
They mostly pupate in leaf litter or in the soil in a flimsy cocoon.
Many of the adult moths are remarkable for their camouflaged wing patterns. These patterns, often wavy lines, extend across both fore and hind wings. These moths rest with wings outspread, and tightly pressed against the surface on which they are sitting. The curved markings may be the origin of their common name: "Waves": eg
A large group of the GEOMETRIDAE have green wings: these are called "Emeralds": eg
 family |  butterflies |  Lepidoptera |  moths |  family |
(updated 29 August 2012, 6 November 2024)
