# 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.

- **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.

## About

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.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/6daf8ee4-fee2-47e8-9bee-2cc67a498dc3
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/146886
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaria_bisignata
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/3839508/medium.JPG (Nick Block, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.