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Superfamily Geometroidea - Geometrid and Swallowtail Moths

Phigalia sp. - Phigalia strigataria - male

Small Orange Underwing Moth? - Mellilla xanthometata - male

Geometridae: Epithecia annulata? - Eupithecia

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Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Geometroidea (Geometrid and Swallowtail Moths)

Explanation of Names

Geometroidae from the type genus Geometra (Linnaeus), Greek meaning "to measure the earth," referring to the larva, or inchworm, as they move in a looping fashion. (1)

Works Cited

1.	An accentuated list of the British Lepidoptera, with hints on the derivation of the names. Anonymous. 1858. The Entomological Societies of Oxford and Cambridge.

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 2 March, 2006 - 4:00pm
Additional contributions by Randy Hardy, Kyhl Austin
Last updated 18 March, 2016 - 10:31am

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