Herbicolous

/hɜːrˈbɪkələs/ adjective

Definition

Living or feeding on plants or vegetation; plant-dwelling.

Etymology

From Latin 'herba' (plant) plus '-colous' (inhabiting or dwelling on), similar to 'arboricola' (tree-dwelling). A scientific term from biological classification.

Kelly Says

Caterpillars are herbicolous creatures—the word elegantly captures the fact that they live their entire lives on plants, never leaving their verdant home, making them completely dependent on finding the right leaf species.

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