Crossword Genius

Buzzing insects' queen producing extract (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

quintessence

'extract' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'buzzing insects' queen' is the wordplay.
'buzzing' indicates anagramming the letters (letters buzz around).
'insects'+'queen'='insectsqueen'
'insectsqueen' anagrammed gives 'QUINTESSENCE'.

'producing' is the link.

(Other definitions for quintessence that I've seen before include "The most perfect or typical example" , "Personification" , "Central aspect (of something)" , "Essential feature; embodiment" , "Purest manifestation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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