a. Entom. [f. Gr. θαλερός blooming, fresh + -φάγ-ος eating + -OUS.] Feeding on fresh vegetable substances.
1819. Macleay, Horæ Entomol., I. 27. Thalerophagous insects, or such as live on green or fresh vegetable food.
1826. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., III. xxxv. 604. The saprophagous tribes of Mr. W. S. MacLeay are commonly of a more dark and dismal aspect and colour than those which feed upon such as are living and fresh, denominated thalerophagous by the same learned author.
1840. Swainson & Shuckard, Hist. Insects, II. vi. 221. The thalerophagous groups.
