'floriphagous' originates from New Latin, specifically the combining elements 'flori-' from Latin 'flos, floris' meaning 'flower' and Greek '-phagous' from 'phagein' meaning 'to eat'.

'floriphagous' was formed in scientific coinage by combining the classical root 'flori-' and the Greek-derived suffix '-phagous', modeled on similar compounds such as 'anthropophagous' and 'sarcophagous'.

Initially it meant 'feeding on flowers', and this meaning has remained essentially unchanged in modern usage.