The true ant, it is said, neglects its duties (6)

I believe the answer is:

truant

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'it is said neglects its duties' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'the true ant' is the wordplay.
'the true' becomes 'tru' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'tru'+'ant'='TRUANT'

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(Other definitions for truant that I've seen before include "Delinquent" , "Pupil absent without permission" , "One stays away from school" , "Pupil away from school without leave" , "Academic absentee" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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