Collective Nouns For Insects (With Meaning and Examples)

Insects are a fascinating and diverse group of creatures that play crucial roles in our ecosystems. From the tiny ants scurrying along our kitchen counters to the majestic butterflies fluttering through fields, insects come in all shapes, sizes, and species. What makes these remarkable beings even more intriguing is the unique way we collectively refer to them. In this article, we explore collective nouns for insects – those delightful terms that capture the essence of insect groups and their behaviors.

What is the Collective Noun For Insects?.

The collective noun for insects is a “swarm.” It is used to describe a large group of insects flying or moving together. Examples of insects that may form swarms include bees, locusts, butterflies, and mosquitoes, among others. Swarming behavior in insects can serve various purposes, such as finding food, migrating, or reproducing.

Here are the 10 Collective Nouns For Insects:

1. Swarm
2. Colony
3. Plague
4. Horde
5. Congregation
6. Cloud
7. Cluster
8. Gathering
9. Army
10. Flight

Collective Nouns For Insect

1. Coalition
2. Party
3. Cast
4. Host
5. Wing
6. Broodling
7. Caste
8. Clowder
9. Galley
10. Buzz
11. Crèche
12. Swarmlet
13. Company
14. Flightling
15. Cloudlet
16. Troopling
17. Scurry
18. Incursion
19. Tribelet
20. Formation
21. Drift
22. Legion
23. Convoy
24. Clutchling
25. Hive
26. Nest
27. Generation
28. Colony
29. Coterie
30. Congression
31. Gang
32. Plaguelet
33. Troop
34. Leash
35. Congregation
36. Bevy
37. Horde
38. Cloud
39. Skein
40. Constellation
41. Army
42. Bedazzlement
43. Tribe
44. Pile
45. Convocation
46. Cluster
47. Assembly
48. Wisp
49. Team
50. Den
51. Knot
52. Brood
53. Leggion
54. Flight
55. Cadre
56. Bivouac
57. Squadron
58. Gathering
59. Congress
60. Band
61. Outbreak
62. Family
63. Scurryling
64. Creep
65. Glitter
66. Plague
67. Crew
68. Flock
69. Litter
70. Flotilla
71. Platoon
72. Suite
73. Group
74. Bunch
75. Mob
76. Clutch
77. Crawl
78. Spin
79. Herd
80. Murmuration
81. Swarm
82. Pack
83. Creche
84. Kin
85. Throng
86. Gaggle
87. Flurry
88. Hordelet
89. String

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Collective Nouns For Insects With Meaning and Examples

1. Swarm –

Meaning: A dense gathering of insects.

Examples:

• A swarm of bees descended upon the flowerbed.
• We saw a swarm of locusts devastating the crops.
• The picnic was interrupted by a swarm of mosquitoes.

2. Colony –

Meaning: A community of insects with a structured social system.

Examples:

• The ant colony constructed an intricate network of tunnels.
• We observed a colony of termites infesting the wooden structure.
• The garden was home to a colony of butterflies.

3. Hive –

Meaning: A shelter for bees and other social insects.

Examples:

• The beekeeper carefully inspected the hive for honey production.
• We found a wild hive of wasps hidden in the tree branches.
• The garden was alive with the buzz of a hive of bumblebees.

4. Cloud –

Meaning: A mass of flying insects moving together.

Examples:

• A cloud of gnats swarmed around the streetlamp at night.
• The beach was engulfed by a cloud of sandflies.
• As we entered the forest, we encountered a cloud of butterflies.

5. Gang –

Meaning: A collection of insects, often used informally.

Examples:

• The children squealed when they saw a gang of grasshoppers hopping around.
• We had to shoo away a gang of flies from our picnic lunch.
• A gang of dragonflies hovered above the pond.

6. Cluster –

Meaning: Insects gathered closely together.

Examples:

• We discovered a cluster of ladybugs on the leaf.
• A cluster of fireflies illuminated the night sky.
• The roses attracted a cluster of bees.

7. Flight –

Meaning: A collection of insects in flight.

Examples:

• A flight of butterflies passed by the garden.
• The birdwatchers spotted a flight of dragonflies near the lake.
• As dusk fell, we observed a flight of moths around the porch light.

8. Litter –

Meaning: A brood of insect offspring.

Examples:

• The park was filled with a litter of caterpillars after the rainfall.
• The garden had a litter of praying mantis eggs carefully hidden in the bushes.
• We came across a litter of grasshopper nymphs in the grass.

9. Bevy –

Meaning: A gathering of insects, usually used in a positive context.

Examples:

• A bevy of butterflies fluttered gracefully around the wildflowers.
• We enjoyed watching a bevy of fireflies illuminating the night sky.
• The garden was a sight with a bevy of colorful beetles.

10. Horde –

Meaning: Horde indicates a disorderly or chaotic assembly of insects.

Examples:

1. • Our peaceful camping trip turned into a nightmare when a horde of aggressive horseflies attacked us.
   • Locals warned us about the horde of biting midges that frequented the area during the summer months.
   • The garden was overrun by a horde of destructive grasshoppers, threatening the crops.

11. Gathering –

Meaning: A general term for a group of insects coming together.

Examples:

1. • As we approached the pond, we noticed a gathering of dragonflies skimming the water’s surface.
   • The park was filled with a diverse gathering of insects, from butterflies to beetles.
   • The warm summer evening brought a lively gathering of crickets, filling the air with their chirping sounds.

12. Plague –

Meaning: An overwhelming number of insects causing widespread harm.

Examples:

1. • The cornfields were devastated by a plague of locusts, leaving behind barren land.
   • Farmers struggled to control the plague of grasshoppers that were destroying their crops.
   • The city faced a serious problem with a plague of mosquitoes, leading to increased cases of diseases.

13. Cast –

Meaning: A group of insects that emerge together, particularly in reference to termites or winged ants.

Examples:

1. • The termite cast emerged from the ground and took flight, starting new colonies in the surrounding area.
   • We witnessed the majestic sight of a cast of flying ants soaring through the air on a warm summer day.
   • After the rain, a cast of winged termites gathered near a tree trunk, ready to find a new place to establish a colony.

14. Cloud –

Meaning: A large group of flying insects creating a dense, cloud-like appearance.

Examples:

1. • The hikers were enveloped by a cloud of mosquitoes as they ventured into the marshy area.
   • Near the lake, we observed a massive cloud of gnats hovering over the water’s surface.
   • The headlights of the car revealed a swirling cloud of fireflies, creating a magical scene in the forest.

15. Conclave –

Meaning: A secretive or secluded gathering of insects, often related to mating or hibernation.

Examples:

• Entomologists were thrilled to discover a hidden conclave of rare beetles, previously unknown to science.
• During winter, ladybugs seek shelter in a conclave within tree crevices to survive the cold months.
• The fireflies’ conclave lit up the forest with a mesmerizing display of synchronized flashes.

16. Exaltation –

Meaning: A joyous and animated group of butterflies, often in flight.

Examples:

• As we strolled through the garden, we were enchanted by an exaltation of colorful butterflies dancing around the flowers.
• The sight of the migrating monarch butterflies formed an impressive exaltation, brightening the skies as they journeyed south.
• The butterfly garden buzzed with excitement as an exaltation of painted ladies fluttered gracefully among the blossoms.

17. Scurry –

Meaning: A group of small insects or pests moving quickly and erratically.

Examples:

• The kitchen floor was invaded by a scurry of cockroaches, scuttling away whenever the lights turned on.
• We were startled by a sudden scurry of ants that appeared on the picnic blanket, searching for crumbs.
• A scurry of silverfish raced across the bathroom tiles, seeking damp corners to hide.

18. Swarmlet –

Meaning: A small or miniature swarm of insects.

Examples:

• While the larger bees were out foraging, a swarmlet guarded the hive’s entrance against intruders.
• The garden had a gentle swarmlet of hoverflies, delicately pollinating the flowers.
• We noticed a swarmlet of tiny aphids gathering on the plant’s stem, sapping its nutrients.

19. Cacophony –

Meaning: A group of noisy and loud insects, often associated with their calls or sounds.

Examples:

• The nighttime was filled with the cacophony of crickets, their chirping forming a rhythmic symphony.
• In the wetlands, we were serenaded by a boisterous cacophony of frogs croaking near the water’s edge.
• As darkness fell, the forest echoed with the cacophony of cicadas, signaling the arrival of summer.

20. Galaxy –

Meaning: A vast and widespread group of flying insects, resembling stars in the night sky.

Examples:

• The meadow became a luminous galaxy of fireflies, illuminating the night with their glimmering lights.
• During migration, the sky filled with a magnificent galaxy of dragonflies, moving like shooting stars.
• We were in awe as the beach was enveloped by a breathtaking galaxy of sea butterflies, forming a beautiful haze above the waves.

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