1. the practice or condition of feeding on a limited variety of food sources; the dietary habit of consuming only a few types of food.
Usage: biology; ecology; technical

Examples

• The koala's oligophagy—its reliance almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves—makes it vulnerable to habitat loss.
• Many insect species exhibit oligophagy, feeding on only one or two plant species.
• The panda's oligophagy limits its survival options in the wild.
• Oligophagy in certain caterpillars means they can only develop on specific host plants.
• Scientists study oligophagy to understand how specialized feeding habits affect species conservation.