Crossword Genius

Some insects are small and affectionate (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swarm

'some insects' is the definition.
(I have seen 'many insects' mean 'swarm' so perhaps 'insects' could also mean 'swarm')

'small and affectionate' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'affectionate' becomes 'warm' (synonyms).
's'+'warm'='SWARM'

'are' is the link.

(Other definitions for swarm that I've seen before include "Body of bees" , "Large group of bees" , "Mob" , "Arrive in numbers" , "Dense group (of insects)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The Daily Express.
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