Entomophage

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An organism, such as a bird, bat, or insect-eating plant, that feeds on insects ; a human who regularly consumes insects as food
2. A creature whose diet consists mainly of bugs ; someone who eats insects as part of their diet
3. Any animal that subsists on insects for nourishment ; a person who deliberately eats insects for food or as a practice

Etymology: Insects were named in Greek for their bodies. "Entomon" comes from "entemnein," meaning "to cut up," because an insect's segmented body looks notched into pieces. Aristotle used "entoma" for this group of animals, so the name described anatomy long before anyone thought of it in terms of diet. The second half is simpler. "Phagos" comes from "phagein," "to eat," the same root behind "sarcophagus," literally "flesh-eater." Joined together, an entomophage is a creature that eats insects. It is a plain compound of two Greek parts, built from classical roots to name a practice rather than inherited from ancient speakers.

Synonyms: insectivore, entomophagist