Crossword Genius

Backed up by dad, this young creature is inactive (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pupa

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'this young creature is inactive' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'backed up by dad' is the wordplay.
'backed' is a reversal indicator.
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'dad' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean someone's father).
'up' back-to-front is 'pu'.
'pu'+'pa'='PUPA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pupa that I've seen before include "Phase of insect life" , "developing creature" , "So peacock may have appeared" , "One is growing" , "A chrysalis as of butterfly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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