Definition

Describing an organism that feeds on a limited variety of food sources, particularly a small number of plants, often used in reference to insects.

Example

Some insects are oligophagous, meaning they only eat a few types of plants.

Conversation

Did you know that some insects are oligophagous?

Really? What does that mean exactly?

It means they only feed on a limited range of plants.

That's interesting! I guess that makes them pretty specialized.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Oligophagous → It is formed from "oligo-" (from Greek "oligos", meaning few or little) and "phagous" (from Greek "phagein", meaning to eat). The word describes organisms that eat only a few types of food.

Memory Tip

Think of 'few' ('oligo-') types of food that an organism 'eats' ('phagous') — that's what oligophagous means.

Visually Confused Words