ACRIDOPHAGI, in the ancient Geography, a Nation of People said to feed on Locusts —The Word is compounded of the Greek ἀκρίς, Locust, and φαγε, I eat.The Acridophagi are represented as a People of Ethiopia, inhabiting near the Deserts.—In the Spring they made Provision of a large kind of Locusts, which they salted, and kept for their standing Food all the Year: They lived to forty Years of Age, then died of a sort of winged Worms generated in their Bodies. See ST. Jerome against Jovinian, L. II. and on St. John, C. 4: Diodorus Siculus, L. III. c. 3:and 29; and Strabo, L. XVI.—Pliny also speaks of Acridophagi in Parthia; and St. Jerome in Libya.Though the Circumstances of these People be fabulous; yet may the Acridophagia be true; and to this Day they eat Locusts in some Parts of the East.—And hence, St. John the Baptist is said to have lived on Locusts, ἀκρίδες, and wild Honey, Matt. c.3. v. 4. See HONEY.Yet is the rendering of ἀκρίδες by Locusts, as the English Translators have done, much controverted.—Isidore of Pelusium, in his 132nd Epistle, speaking of this Food of St.John, says, They were not Animals, but the Tops of Herbs;and even charges those who understood them otherwise of Ignorance: But St. Augustine, Bede, Ludolphus, and others, are of a different Sentiment. Accordingly, the Jesuits of Antwerp reject with Contempt the Opinion of the Ebionites, who for ἀκρίδες put ἐγκρίδες, a delicious Diet prepared of Honey and Oil; that of some other Innovators, who read ἀγκρίδες, or ἀγκρίδης, Sea-Crabs; and that of Beza, who reads ἀχρίδες, wild Pears.
