herbiphagy
- Pronunciation
- /hur-BIH-fuh-jee/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- herbiphagy
- Plural
- herbiphagies
Definition
The practice of feeding on plant material, commonly observed in various insects.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'herba', meaning 'grass' or 'plant', and '-phagy', from Greek 'phagein', meaning 'to eat'.
Example
Herbiphagy is a common trait among the caterpillars of many butterfly species, which consume leaves as their primary food source.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Folivory
- Grazing
- Insect feeding habits
Usage Notes
Herbiphagy can refer to a range of plant-eating habits, including leaf chewing, sap sucking, and root nibbling.