insectivore
noun
in·sec·ti·vore in-ˈsek-tə-ˌvȯr 
1
: any of an order (Insectivora) of small usually nocturnal mammals (such as moles, shrews, and hedgehogs) that feed mainly on insects
2
: an insectivorous plant or animal
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Aardvarks are nocturnal, insectivore mammals native to Africa, according to National Geographic. 
Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 The image of what a Mesozoic mammal is—that is, mammals that lived during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods—has often been stereotyped as a small, snuffling insectivore that foraged at night. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 July 2021 The animals are fed produce, mice, crickets, mealworms, eggs, and insectivore pellets. Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 30 June 2020 And even when mammals are included in studies of the Mesozoic, they are often characterized as small, shrew-like insectivores like the 205 million-year-old Morganucodon from Wales and China. Riley Black, Smithsonian, 25 Oct. 2019 And all of these species are insectivores, happy to feed on the creatures that provide them shelter. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 25 June 2019 Ironically, white-nose syndrome’s arrival in California comes at a time when local naturalists are taking increasing notice of the chocolate-brown, mouse-size insectivores. Louis Sahagun, SFChronicle.com, 5 July 2019 These animals play an important role in the ecosystem as insectivores, pollinators and seed dispersers, the authors wrote. Kimberly Hickok, Fox News, 27 Aug. 2018 The researchers live-trapped 12 shrews in June 2014, X-raying the tiny insectivores and implanting them with microchips. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 25 Oct. 2017 See More
Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 The image of what a Mesozoic mammal is—that is, mammals that lived during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods—has often been stereotyped as a small, snuffling insectivore that foraged at night. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 July 2021 The animals are fed produce, mice, crickets, mealworms, eggs, and insectivore pellets. Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 30 June 2020 And even when mammals are included in studies of the Mesozoic, they are often characterized as small, shrew-like insectivores like the 205 million-year-old Morganucodon from Wales and China. Riley Black, Smithsonian, 25 Oct. 2019 And all of these species are insectivores, happy to feed on the creatures that provide them shelter. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 25 June 2019 Ironically, white-nose syndrome’s arrival in California comes at a time when local naturalists are taking increasing notice of the chocolate-brown, mouse-size insectivores. Louis Sahagun, SFChronicle.com, 5 July 2019 These animals play an important role in the ecosystem as insectivores, pollinators and seed dispersers, the authors wrote. Kimberly Hickok, Fox News, 27 Aug. 2018 The researchers live-trapped 12 shrews in June 2014, X-raying the tiny insectivores and implanting them with microchips. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 25 Oct. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin Insectivora, from Latin insectum + -vorus -vorous
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
insectivore
noun
in·sec·ti·vore in-ˈsek-tə-ˌvō(ə)r, -ˌvȯ(ə)r
1
: any mammal of the order Insectivora
2
: an insectivorous plant or animal
insectivore
noun
as in carnivore
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- carnivore
- animal
- omnivore
- creature
- critter
- beastie
- varmint
- vermin
- quadruped
- brute
- vertebrate
- invertebrate
- biped
- pet
- beast
- feral
- blastie
- domestic animal
- livestock
- stock
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vegetarian
- herbivore
- vegan