Crossword Genius

Copper hugged by disorientated stripper? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

locust

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'stripper?' is the definition.
(insects which strip areas of vegetation)

'copper hugged by disorientated' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'Cu' (chemical symbol).
'hugged by' is an insertion indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'disorientated' becomes 'lost' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'cu' put into 'lost' is 'LOCUST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for locust that I've seen before include "Ravenous insect" , "Voracious grasshopper that travels in swarms" , "Large insect" , "Voracious insect, travels in swarms" , "Predatory grasshopper that swarms" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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