In parasitology, anthropophilia, from the Greek ἅνθρωπος (anthrōpos, "human being") and φιλία (philia, "friendship" or "love"), is a preference of a parasite or dermatophyte for humans over other animals.
[1][2] The related term endophilia refers specifically to a preference for being in human habitats, especially inside dwellings.
[4] Most usage of the term anthropophilia refers to hematophagous insects (see Anopheles) that prefer human blood[5] over animal blood (zoophily, but see other meanings of zoophily).
Examples other than haematophagy include geckoes that live close to humans,[6] pied crows (Corvus albus),[7] cockroaches, and many others.
In the study of malaria and its disease vectors, researchers make the distinction between anthropophilic mosquitoes and other types as part of disease eradication efforts.