Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#1488769
Winter Inchworm (Geometrid Moth Larva - Family Geometridae)? - Campaea perlata

Winter Inchworm (Geometrid Moth Larva - Family Geometridae)? - Campaea perlata
Bellevue, King County, Washington, USA
January 27, 2018
Apparent Winter Inchworm. Spotted and photographed (and captured short video) on 01/27/18. Was atop blocking post between road end and a trailhead, one that is normally covered with Globular Springtails, various mites, and tiny spiders, along with some most, possible lichen and tiny Orange Jelly Fungi. The inchworm was there when I entered the park, and still there moving around when I left about 90 minutes later. (I wanted to remove him and place him in a more appropriate habitat, but since I had no idea what that should be, decided it might be best left alone to find its own way.)

I wasn't too shocked finding no such pictures for Washington, but was after seeing only 1 picture of the inchworm in the database.

Images of this individual: tag all
Winter Inchworm (Geometrid Moth Larva - Family Geometridae)? - Campaea perlata Winter Inchworm (Geometrid Moth Larva - Family Geometridae)? - Campaea perlata Winter Inchworm (Geometrid Moth Larva - Family Geometridae)? - Campaea perlata Winter Inchworm (Geometrid Moth Larva - Family Geometridae)? - Campaea perlata

Moved
Moved from Geometrid Moths.

I think I see signs of a vent
I think I see signs of a ventral setal fringe. This, together with the overall appearance and winter occurrence, make me think Campaea, though I don't think I can see a third pair of reduced prolegs.

 
Campaea
I certainly see Campaea perlata (Pale Beauty) in this area regularly. Although I get tired of seeing them at times, like most common moths, when hoping to see new species, it would be nice to know I'd found the larval form. I'd never bothered to look up the larval stage before, so was a bit surprised (knowing little about moths) to see it was an inch-worm-like larva. They are interesting to observe trying to reach for potential overhead targets that may or may not be present... a lot of control over must of their body length.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.