Polyphagous

Definition

Feeding on a wide variety of food types, host species, or prey taxa; in entomology and arachnology, typically describes herbivores, predators, or parasitoids that exploit multiple host species across different genera or families rather than being restricted to a narrow taxonomic range. Contrasts with monophagous (single host) and oligophagous (few related hosts).

Etymology

Greek polys (many) + phagein (to eat)

Example

The polyandrous shot hole borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) is a highly polyphagous ambrosia beetle that attacks hundreds of tree species across dozens of families, making it a significant invasive pest in multiple continents.

Synonyms

• euryphagous
• generalist (feeding)

Related Terms

• monophagous
• oligophagous
• stenophagous
• host range
• Generalist
• Specialist
• polyphagy

Usage Notes

Applied to both the organism and the feeding habit. In applied entomology, polyphagy often correlates with pest status because broad host ranges facilitate invasion and population persistence when preferred hosts are scarce. The threshold between oligophagy and polyphagy is relative and context-dependent; some authors reserve polyphagy for exploitation of hosts in multiple unrelated families.