inchworm; measuring worm; looper caterpillar
Refers to the caterpillar of geometer moths, known for its looping gait. The name 尺取 literally means 'measuring-taker' from its movement resembling a measuring action.
I found an inchworm in the garden.
尺取は、体を伸ばしたり縮めたりして移動する。
Inchworms move by stretching and contracting their bodies.
Standard kanji spelling for the inchworm.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially for children or when the kanji is not needed.
From 尺 (shaku, a unit of length) + 取 (tori, taking), referring to the caterpillar's looping movement that resembles measuring a length. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with this meaning.