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.