ˈɪnsekt
ˈɪnsektany small creature with six legs and a body divided into three parts. Insects usually also have wings. Ants, bees and flies are all insects
insect speciesinsect repellent (= a chemical that keeps insects away)an insect biteThe pesticide is lethal to all insect life. see also stick insectHelp
Insect is often used to refer to other small creatures, for example spiders, although this is not correct scientific language.
Usage note: The living worldAnimalsanimals mate/breed/reproduce/feed (on something)fish/amphibians swim/spawn (= lay eggs)birds fly/migrate/nest/singinsects crawl/fly/bite/stinginsects/bees/locusts swarmbees collect/gather nectar/pollenspiders spin/weave a websnakes/lizards shed their skinsbears/hedgehogs/frogs hibernateinsect larvae grow/develop/pupatean egg/a chick/a larva hatchesattract/find/choose a mateproduce/release eggs/spermlay/fertilize/incubate/hatch eggsinhabit a forest/a reef/the coastmark/enter/defend (a) territorystalk/hunt/capture/catch/kill preyPlants and fungitrees/plants grow/bloom/blossom/flowera seed germinates/sproutsleaves/buds/roots/shoots appear/develop/formflower buds swell/opena fungus grows/spreads/colonizes somethingpollinate/fertilize a flower/plantproduce/release/spread/disperse pollen/seeds/sporesproduce/bear fruitdevelop/grow/form roots/shoots/leavesprovide/supply/absorb/extract/release nutrientsperform/increase/reduce photosynthesisBacteria and virusesbacteria/microbes/viruses grow/spread/multiplybacteria/microbes live/thrive in/on somethingbacteria/microbes/viruses evolve/colonize something/cause diseasebacteria break something down/convert something (into something)a virus enters/invades something/the bodya virus mutates/evolves/replicates (itself)be infected with/contaminated with/exposed to a new strain of a virus/drug-resistant bacteriacontain/carry/harbour (especially US) harbor bacteria/a viruskill/destroy/eliminate harmful/deadly bacteria