An insect — specifically, one from the Middle East? (6)

I believe the answer is:

scarab

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'an insect' is the definition.
(I know that scarab is a type of insect)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for scarab that I've seen before include "crawler" , "Large dung beetle" , "Beetle regarded as divine by ancient Egyptians" , "Sacred dung-beetle" , "Sacred beetle of ancient Egypt" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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