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Said it's a key factor in pollination (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bee

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'factor in pollination' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'said it's a key' is the wordplay.
'said' shows a homophone (sound like).
'it's a key' becomes 'b' (eg B major, musical key).
'b' sounds like 'BEE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bee that I've seen before include "Winged insect" , "Hairy-bodied insect" , "Flying insect (often busy)" , "Social gathering" , "competition" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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