Stan running from insects (4)
I believe the answer is:
ants
'insects' is the definition.
(ant is a kind of insect)
'stan running' is the wordplay.
'running' indicates anagramming the letters (the letters run around to different places).
'stan' is an anagram of 'ANTS'.
'from' is the link.
(Other definitions for ants that I've seen before include "Industrious insects" , "workers found returning" , "Termites" , "Six-foot insects" , "Tiny insects that live in colonies" .)