Formicophilia

Ant on human flesh
Formicophilia
Not to be confused with myrmecophily.

Formicophilia, a form of zoophilia, is the sexual interest in being crawled upon or nibbled by insects, such as ants, or other small creatures.[1][2] This paraphilia often involves the application of insects to the genitals, but other areas of the body may also be the focus. The desired effect may be a tickling, stinging, or in the case of slugs, slimy sensation, or the infliction of psychological distress on another person.[3] The term was coined by Ratnin Dewaraja and John Money in 1986 from the Latin formica (ant) + the Greek philia (love).[2]

  1. ^ Dewaraja, R (1987). "Formicophilia, an unusual paraphilia, treated with counseling and behavior therapy". American Journal of Psychotherapy. 41 (4): 593–597. doi:10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1987.41.4.593. PMID 3434651.
  2. ^ a b Dewaraja, R; Money J (1986). "Transcultural sexology: Formicophilia, a newly named paraphilia in a young Buddhist male". Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. 12 (2): 139–145. doi:10.1080/00926238608415401. PMID 3723604.
  3. ^ Love, Brenda (1992). Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books. p. 301. ISBN 1-56980-011-1.