entomophilous

American  

[en-tuh-mof-uh-luhs] / ˌɛn təˈmɒf ə ləs /

adjective

1. pollinated by or having spores distributed by insects.

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entomophilous British  

/ ˌɛntəˈmɒfɪləs /

adjective

1. (of flowering plants) pollinated by insects Compare anemophilous

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entomophilous Scientific  

/ ĕn′tə-mŏf′ə-ləs /

1. Pollinated by insects.

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Other Word Forms

• entomophily noun

Etymology

Origin of entomophilous

First recorded in 1875–80; entomo- + -philous

Example Sentences

There is no great difficulty in understanding how an anemophilous plant might have been rendered entomophilous.

From Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom by Darwin, Charles

Now the separation of the sexes, whether the plant were anemophilous are entomophilous, would most effectually bar self-fertilisation, and this may be the cause of so many trees and bushes being diclinous.

From Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom by Darwin, Charles

This holds good especially in cold and temperate regions, where insects are not so numerous as under a warmer climate, and where consequently entomophilous plants are less favourably situated.

From Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom by Darwin, Charles

All the species hitherto mentioned which produce cleistogamic flowers are entomophilous; but four genera, Juncus, Hordeum, Cryptostachys, and Leersia are anemophilous.

From The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species by Darwin, Charles

A vestige of this early state of things is likewise shown by some other groups of plants which are anemophilous, as these on the whole stand lower in the scale than entomophilous species.

From Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom by Darwin, Charles