Crossword Genius

Provide support to an insect at a stage of lifecycle (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caterpillar

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'an insect at a stage of lifecycle' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'provide support' is the wordplay.
'provide' becomes 'cater' (synonyms).
'support' becomes 'pillar' (pillar is a kind of support).
'cater'+'pillar'='CATERPILLAR'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caterpillar that I've seen before include "8 17" , "Heavy tracked earth-moving vehicle" , "future monarch, perhaps" , "Tiny creature" , "crawler" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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