Picked up hot stuff as grub (5)

I believe the answer is:

larva

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'grub' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for larva that I've seen before include "Immature stage of an insect" , "Insect just out of egg" , "E.g. caterpillar form" , "Immature life form" , "Immature form of an insect before metamorphosis" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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