Attacks the insects surrounding the animal (7)
I believe the answer is:
berates
'attacks' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'insects surrounding the animal' is the wordplay.
'insects' becomes 'bees' (bee is a kind of insect).
'surrounding' is an insertion indicator.
'the animal' becomes 'rat' (rat is a kind of animal).
'bees' enclosing 'rat' is 'BERATES'.
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for berates that I've seen before include "is a scold" , "Scolds" , "Upbraids" .)