Crossword Genius

Colonial soldier's surprised reaction interrupting a tirade? (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

army ant

'colonial soldier's' is the definition.
(soldier is a type of ant)

'surprised reaction interrupting a tirade?' is the wordplay.
'surprised reaction' becomes 'my' ('my!' can be an expression of surprise).
'interrupting' indicates putting letters inside.
'tirade?' becomes 'rant' (both can mean an angry outburst).
'a'+'rant'='arant'
'my' put within 'arant' is 'ARMY ANT'.

(Other definitions for army ant that I've seen before include "Stinging insect" , "Group-foraging insect" , "tropical insect" , "Foraging insect" , "Soldier, perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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