Crossword Genius

Insect eating mollusc once (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

formerly

'once' is the definition.
('formerly' can be a synonym of 'once')

'insect eating mollusc' is the wordplay.
'insect' becomes 'fly' (fly is a kind of insect).
'eating' is an insertion indicator.
'mollusc' becomes 'ormer' (ormer is a kind of mollusc).
'fly' placed around 'ormer' is 'FORMERLY'.

(Other definitions for formerly that I've seen before include "Previously, before this time" , "Hitherto" , "In the past" , "At one time" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Independent.
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