insectivorous

[ in-sek-tiv-er-uh s ]

/ ˌɪn sɛkˈtɪv ər əs /

adjective

adapted to feeding on insects.

Botany. having specialized leaves or leaf parts capable of trapping and digesting insects, as the Venus's-flytrap, the pitcher plants, and the sundews.

Words nearby insectivorous

insecticide, insectifuge, insectile, insectivora, insectivore, insectivorous, insectivorous bat, insectology, insecure, insecurity, inselberg

Origin of insectivorous

From the New Latin word insectivorus, dating back to 1655–65. See insect, -i-, -vorous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for insectivorous

Our oriole is an insectivorous bird, but in some localities it is very destructive in the August vineyards.
Ways of Nature|John Burroughs
For the most part the species are carnivorous or insectivorous.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 7|Various
Insectivorous plants, with hollow, pitcher-shaped leaves, and large purple flowers at the ends of naked stems.
The Plants of Michigan|Henry Allan Gleason
Thus the cuckoo appears to be an insectivorous bird which will freely devour conspicuously coloured unpalatable larvae.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6|Various

The most ancient of these is that of the primæval, or Insectivorous Marsupials (Cantharophaga).
The History of Creation, Vol. II (of 2)|Ernst Haeckel

British Dictionary definitions for insectivorous

insectivorous

/ (ˌɪnsɛkˈtɪvərəs) /

adjective

feeding on or adapted for feeding on insectsinsectivorous plants

of or relating to the order Insectivora

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for insectivorous

insectivore

[ ĭn-sĕk′tə-vôr′ ]

An animal or plant that feeds mainly on insects.

Any of various small, usually nocturnal mammals of the order Insectivora that feed on insects and other invertebrates. Insectivores have long snouts and resemble rodents, but lack gnawing incisors. Moles, shrews, hedgehogs, and tenrecs are insectivores.

Other words from insectivore

insectivorous adjective