22-12-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GEOMETER MOTH (Agriopis bajaria)

The Geometer Moth (Agriopis bajaria) is a Eurasian species belonging to the family Geometridae. Best known for the looping, "inchworm" locomotion of their caterpillars, adults of this species exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism (males are winged and fly at night, while females are flightless with severely reduced wings).

Key Facts and Characteristics

Appearance & Dimorphism: Males have a wingspan of 30–32 mm with grayish-brown to tan patterns, whereas females are apterous (wingless/reduced wings) and measure only 12–14 mm.

Habitat: These moths typically inhabit deciduous and mixed forests, warm scrublands, sunny slopes, gardens, and city parks across Europe and Central Asia.

Life Cycle: Adults are generally active in the late autumn. The larvae are polyphagous, meaning they feed on the leaves of a wide variety of plants and trees, including:Rosaceae (Apples, hawthorn, roses, and brambles)Leguminosae (such as brooms)Oleaceae (Privet)Inchworm 

Locomotion: The larvae move in a distinct looping fashion because they possess a reduced number of prolegs (only on the hind end). They anchor their front legs, pull their rear legs forward, and loop their mid-section into an arc, giving them the "measuring the earth" namesake.

Taxonomy: They are part of the subfamily Ennominae within the super-family Geometroidea.