
GEOMETRIDAE
Geometrids (Geometridae) are a family of glossate Lepidoptera in the clade Ditrysia whose caterpillars are characterized by their "geomesorous" movement, meaning they move in a manner similar to measuring by hand spans, with the hand open and then the little finger touching the thumb. They are medium to small in size, with generally triangular wings; the larvae are associated with the type of vegetation on which they feed. This is a very large family, with around 23,000 described species of moths, and more than 1,400 species from six subfamilies native only to North America, making it the second largest family in the order Lepidoptera. A well-known member is the peppered moth, Biston betularia, which has been the subject of numerous population genetics studies. Several other moths in Geometridae are notorious pests.















