phyllophagy
- Pronunciation
- /fi-LOH-fuh-jee/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- phyllophagy
- Plural
- phyllophagies
Definition
The feeding habit of consuming leaves, common among certain insects and arthropods.
Etymology
From Greek 'phyllon', meaning 'leaf', and 'phagein', meaning 'to eat'.
Example
Caterpillars exhibit phyllophagy as they primarily consume the leaves of their host plants.
Synonyms
- Leaf-eating
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Phyllophagy is an important ecological behavior, influencing plant health and ecosystem dynamics.