Alsophila — Pometaria

The ( Alsophila pometaria ) is a native North American moth best known for its "inchworm" larvae that can cause significant defoliation of broadleaf trees. Despite their name, they are primarily a spring-feeding pest, though adults emerge in the late autumn to breed. Key Biological Features

: As "inchworms," the larvae lack several pairs of central prolegs. They move by drawing their hind end up to their front legs, forming a high arch (or "loop") before reaching forward again. alsophila pometaria

: This species exhibits extreme physical differences between sexes. Adult males have a 25–35 mm wingspan with glossy brown or gray wings. Females are entirely wingless , grayish-brown, and approximately 10–12 mm long. The ( Alsophila pometaria ) is a native

: Larvae are about 25 mm long and vary in color from light green to dark brownish-green. A distinguishing feature is that fall cankerworms have three pairs of prolegs on the rear half of their abdomen, whereas the similar spring cankerworm has only two. They move by drawing their hind end up

: Because females cannot fly, the species spreads through "ballooning," where young larvae produce a silk strand and are carried by the wind to neighboring trees. Annual Life Cycle Fall Cankerworm | Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 182