carpophagy
- Pronunciation
- /kar-POF-uh-jee/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- carpophagy
- Plural
- carpophagies
Definition
The practice of feeding on fruits, observed among certain insects and other organisms.
Etymology
From Greek 'karpos', meaning 'fruit', and 'phagy', meaning 'eating'.
Example
Many species of fruit flies exhibit carpophagy, as they feed on decaying or fermenting fruits.
Synonyms
- Frugivory
- Fruit-eating
Related Terms
- Herbivory
- Omnivory
- Feeding behavior
Usage Notes
Carpophagy is a behavior commonly seen in insects such as fruit flies, beetles, and certain species of moths and butterflies. It is an important ecological process as it aids in the decomposition of organic matter.