What does insectivorous mean?
Insectivorous means feeding on insects, especially as a characteristic way of obtaining food. The word is most often applied to animals whose anatomy and behavior are adapted for hunting insects, including bats, nightjars, flycatchers, shrews, and many frogs. It can also describe species or populations more generally, as in references to insectivorous birds in a particular habitat. In such contexts, “insectivorous” identifies a feeding strategy rather than suggesting that insects are merely an occasional part of the diet. The term is especially associated with zoology, ecology, and conservation, where it is often used to describe organisms affected by habitat loss or pesticide use. Although an insectivorous animal may resemble a carnivore in some respects, the distinction is that its characteristic prey consists of insects. The related noun “insectivore” names such an animal directly.
adjectiveFeeding on insects as a primary source of food. It is commonly used of animals, such as bats, birds, and shrews, that are adapted for catching or consuming insects.
- Feeding on insects, especially as the principal or characteristic diet of an animal.
"The long tongue of the anteater is adapted for collecting the insects on which this insectivorous mammal feeds."
"Many bats are insectivorous, using echolocation to locate moths and other flying insects."
"The reserve supports several insectivorous birds whose populations have declined with widespread pesticide use."
Some of the world's most efficient aerial insect hunters are bats, combining sonar-like hearing with precise flight control.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does insectivorous come from?
Insectivorous was formed in English from “insect” and the combining form “-ivorous,” meaning “eating” or “feeding on.” That combining form comes through Latin from the language of devouring or eating. Its relatives include “carnivorous,” “herbivorous,” and “voracious,” while the derived noun “insectivore” names an animal that feeds on insects.
Related word forms
How insectivorous is actually used
The term is chiefly used in zoology and ecology. It is normally used of an animal, a species, or a biological population rather than of an individual person.
Easily confused with insectivorous
An insectivore is a noun naming an animal that feeds on insects, whereas insectivorous is the adjective describing that dietary habit.