Crossword Genius

Insect's male, it's chewed up (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mantis

'insect's' is the definition.
(mantis is a kind of insect)

'male it's chewed up' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'man' (I've seen this before**).
'chewed up' is an anagram indicator.
'its' anagrammed gives 'tis'.
'man'+'tis'='MANTIS'

(Other definitions for mantis that I've seen before include "A praying . . . . . . is a kind of grasshopper" , "may be praying" , "Predatory insect" , "Praying ..., long-bodied, large-eyed insect" , "Carnivorous insect, which rests as if in prayer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.