stenophagy

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

steno- +‎ -phagy

Noun[edit]

stenophagy (uncountable)

  1. Eating just a few types of food, generally all of similar types, such as eating only some kinds of termites, or some kinds of lily bulbs, or some kinds of Eucalyptus leaves..
    The often-found stenophagy in local populations of euryphagous species may indicate the emergence of stenophagous forms from euryphagous ones.
    • 1990, Jermy, T., Labos, E., Molnar, I., edited by John Maynard Smith, Organizational Constraints on the Dynamics of Evolution, Manchester University Press, pages 157–166:
      ...there is sound circumstantial evidence ... that the predominance of stenophagy is due to the insects' restricted ability to recognize ... plant species...