What is a measuring worm?
A measuring worm is the caterpillar of a cankerworm moth. It is called a measuring worm because it seems to be measuring the distance it moves by looping its body with each step it takes.
The measuring worm is a green or brown insect that crawls by looping its whole body every time it takes a step.
It is called a measuring worm because it seems to be measuring the distance it moves with each step.
Of course, the measuring worm isn’t really a worm. It is the caterpillar or a delicate, butterfly-like moth. It grows to be less than an inch long.
The measuring worm has two pairs of feet less than the caterpillars of other moths.
As a result, it creeps along by stretching its body forward as far as it can. Then it brings its back feet go to touch its front feet, making a loop, and then stretches out again.
Other popular names for the measuring worm are inchworm, spanworm and looper.
The measuring worm is a menace because it damages many trees by eating their spring leaves. Many birds eat measuring worms and thus help destroy this pest.