Crossword Genius

Mum with little hesitation leaving insect (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moth

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'insect' is the definition.
(moth is a kind of insect)

'mum with little hesitation' is the wordplay.
'mum with' becomes 'mot' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'little' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'hesitation' is 'h'.
'mot'+'h'='MOTH'

'leaving' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for moth that I've seen before include "Night-flying insect" , "Night flier" , "Lepidopteran" , "night flyer" , "Night flying insect" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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