noun
geometer moth; geometrid
Refers to moths of the family Geometridae, known for their looping caterpillar movement. The term is used in both everyday and scientific contexts.
庭で尺蛾の幼虫を見つけた。
I found a geometer moth caterpillar in the garden.
尺蛾は羽を広げて止まる。
Geometer moths rest with their wings spread out.
尺 (shaku, a unit of length) + 蛾 (ga, moth), referring to the caterpillar's looping gait that resembles measuring with a ruler. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.