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Geometer Moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

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Encyclopedia of Entomology
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Geometer moths, family Geometridae, also called inch worms, are the second largest family of Lepidoptea, with about 21,150 described species from all faunal regions; the actual fauna probably exceeds 26,500 species. The major biodiversity is in the Neotropics, with over 6,500 species described, and the Indo-Australian region with about 6,670 species. The family is in the superfamily Geometroidea, in the section Cossina, subsection Bombycina, of the division Ditrysia. The family is divided into eight subfamilies (recent past classifications mainly used only 6 subfamilies): Archiearinae, Oenochrominae, Orthostixinae, Ennominae, Desmobathrinae, Geometrinae, Sterrhinae, and Larentiinae. There are a very large number of tribal names used and much study and consolidation of overlapping groups is still needed in order to sort out all the valid tribes among the different faunal regions. Adults small to large (8–120 mm) (most range 20–45 mm), with head scaling normal; haustellum naked; labial...

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References

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Heppner, J.B. (2008). Geometer Moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). In: Capinera, J.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_1074

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