Haematophiline

/ˌhiːmətəˈfɪliːn/ adjective

Definition

Having an affinity for blood; describing organisms that are attracted to or feed on blood.

Etymology

From Greek 'haima' (blood) + 'philos' (loving) + English adjective suffix '-ine,' describing blood-loving organisms.

Kelly Says

Bed bugs are haematophiline insects that only evolved their blood-feeding lifestyle after humans started living in permanent settlements, finding us much more convenient than hunting wild mammals.

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