Red-headed Inchworm Moth
Macaria bisignata
The larvae are called 'inchworms' because they lack middle legs, forcing them to arch their backs into a loop to move forward.
- Scientific name
- Macaria bisignata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Geometridae › Macaria
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Coniferous and mixed forests, primarily associated with Eastern White Pine stands.
- Diet
- Larvae specialize on Eastern White Pine needles; adults feed on nectar and moisture.
- Range
- North America, Southern Canada, Eastern United States
- Size
- Wingspan of 22 to 28 mm
- Lifespan
- 1 year (10-14 days as a flying adult)
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss, heavy pesticide application, and light pollution disrupting mating cycles.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless to humans. If one enters your home, gently capture it in a jar and release it near pine trees. Avoid touching the wings to prevent damage to delicate scales.
Macaria bisignata , the redheaded inchworm , is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found from Newfoundland to Georgia, west to Arizona, north to Ontario.
Photo: Nick Block, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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