What is the term for a fear of insects that often involves imagined sensations of insects crawling on the skin?

The term for the fear of insects is entomophobia. This specific phobia encompasses an irrational and intense fear of insects, which can lead to significant anxiety and reactions when encountering these creatures or even merely thinking about them. Individuals with entomophobia may experience actual physical sensations, such as the feeling of insects crawling on their skin, despite the absence of any insects. This sensation can amplify their anxiety and fear, creating a cycle of distress.

Other terms listed in the options relate to more specific phobias or fears. Apiphobia is the fear of bees specifically, while insectophobia, although it may sound fitting, is not a widely recognized clinical term. Chiraptophobia refers to the fear of being touched, which focuses on interactions and sensations rather than a specific fear of insects. Thus, entomophobia is the most accurate and clinically accepted term for this particular phobia.