Crossword Genius

Spies take scoundrel to be an insect (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cicada

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

'spies take scoundrel' is the wordplay.
'spies' becomes 'CIA' (Central Intelligence Agency).
'take' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'scoundrel' becomes 'cad' (cad is a kind of scoundrel).
'cia' placed around 'cad' is 'CICADA'.

'to be an' is the link.

(Other definitions for cicada that I've seen before include "jumpy creature" , "Large bug" , "Flier" , "Droning insect" , "Chirpy little thing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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