Confused Eusarca Moth – Eusarca confusaria

Family Geometridae (geometrids, inchworms, measuring worms)
Live adult moths photographed at northern Illinois.

Eusarca confusaria, male specimen

This moth is very abundant in overgrown former farm fields outside Chicago. It’s a relatively large critter, at least an inch across, and they fly up by the dozens when I’m walking through the underbrush. They don’t fly far – and I cannot figure how this seemingly “showy” behavior benefits this moth, survival-wise.

Linden looper caterpillar “inchworm”