Collocations for insect - noun

flying, winged | aquatic | beneficial
Unfortunately, pesticides kill off beneficial insects as well as harmful ones.

harmful, poisonous | social
Social insects, such as ants, live in large colonies.

swarm

buzz
An insect was buzzing around the room.

fly | crawl | swarm | bore
Insects had bored deep into the wood.

bite, sting

attack
The wood should be treated against insect attack.

bite | eggs, larva | pests
Gardeners welcome birds as they control insect pests.

repellent, spray | species | world
Wasps are the master builders of the insect world.