Geometrinae is the nominate subfamily of the geometer moth family (Geometridae). It is strongly split, containing a considerable number of tribes of which most are presently very small or monotypic. These small moths are often a light bluish green, leading to the common name of emerald moths, though a few species called thus are also found in the tribe Campaeini of the Ennominae. In 2018, a phylogeny and classification based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis was published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in which 13 tribes were accepted.Ban X., et al. (2018) Tribal classification and phylogeny of Geometrinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) inferred from seven gene regions. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 184 (3): 653–672.
There are about 2,300 described species, mostly from the tropics.
Selected genera and species Blotched emerald, Comibaena bajularia Dysphania: the genus of 'false tiger moths' of Asia Large emerald, Geometra papilionaria Essex emerald, Thetidia smaragdaria
Genera incertae sedis Some geometrine genera have not been definitely assigned to a tribe.See references in Savela (2007) These include: Bathycolpodes Bustilloxia Chlorodontopera Eucrostes Kuchleria Prosomphax Xenochlorodes Xenozancla
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