Formicophilia

Formicophilia is a rare paraphilia characterized by sexual interest in or arousal from insects crawling on the body, particularly on the genitals. This fetish involves the sensation of insects, ants, or other small creatures moving on the skin as a source of sexual pleasure. While uncommon, formicophilia falls under the broader category of zoophilia, which involves sexual attraction to animals.

Additional Information

Formicophilia is considered a non-normative sexual interest and is not typically practiced due to potential health risks and ethical concerns. The term comes from the Latin word "formica," meaning ant, and "philia," meaning love or attraction. It's important to note that acting on this paraphilia can be dangerous and may cause physical harm or infections.

Mental health professionals generally view formicophilia as a paraphilic disorder if it causes distress to the individual or potential harm to others. Treatment, when sought, usually focuses on managing urges and addressing underlying psychological factors.