Frassos

Frassos is a term used to describe the excrement of insects, particularly those with a chewing mouthpart. It is essentially insect droppings. The appearance and composition of frass can vary greatly depending on the insect species, its diet, and its developmental stage. For example, the frass of caterpillars is typically pellet-like and can be quite significant in quantity due to their voracious eating habits. In contrast, the frass of smaller insects like aphids might be a sticky liquid called honeydew, which is a sugary byproduct of their sap-feeding diet.

The study of frass, known as scatology or more specifically, insect frass analysis, can be a valuable tool in various fields. In agriculture and horticulture, identifying frass can help diagnose pest infestations, as its presence often indicates the activity of certain insects. The size, shape, and even the plant material within the frass can provide clues about the specific pest. In forensic entomology, frass can sometimes be used to estimate the time of death or the post-mortem interval, as its accumulation can be measured. Furthermore, frass can have ecological implications. For instance, the frass of leaf-eating insects can contribute nutrients to the soil, influencing plant growth and the wider ecosystem. In some cases, frass can also be a nuisance, particularly when it accumulates in large quantities indoors or on structures.