Definition of polyphagous in English:
polyphagous
adjective pəˈlɪfəɡəspəˈlɪfəɡəs
Zoology (of an animal) able to feed on various kinds of food.
many of those that use alien plants are polyphagous
Example sentencesExamples
- Their function as polyphagous predators within orchards was recognized in the 1800's, and several species are known to prey on key tree fruit pests.
- This polyphagous species is widely distributed in the Palearctic region and appears to have colonized South and North America within the last several decades.
- In contrast, only 28% of polyphagous herbivore species had lower densities in polycultures, versus 40% with higher densities in polycultures.
- Although these fruit flies are polyphagous, they typically show strong seasonal preferences for certain fruits.
- The two-spotted spider mite and the armyworm S. exigua both are extremely polyphagous herbivores that share many host plant species, have a similar global distribution, and can occur on the same plant species.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Greek poluphagos 'eating to excess' + -ous.
Definition of polyphagous in US English:
polyphagous
adjectivepəˈlɪfəɡəspəˈlifəɡəs
Zoology (of an animal) able to feed on various kinds of food.
many of those that use alien plants are polyphagous
Example sentencesExamples
- Their function as polyphagous predators within orchards was recognized in the 1800's, and several species are known to prey on key tree fruit pests.
- In contrast, only 28% of polyphagous herbivore species had lower densities in polycultures, versus 40% with higher densities in polycultures.
- Although these fruit flies are polyphagous, they typically show strong seasonal preferences for certain fruits.
- The two-spotted spider mite and the armyworm S. exigua both are extremely polyphagous herbivores that share many host plant species, have a similar global distribution, and can occur on the same plant species.
- This polyphagous species is widely distributed in the Palearctic region and appears to have colonized South and North America within the last several decades.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Greek poluphagos ‘eating to excess’ + -ous.