Crossword Genius

Without hesitation parent produces insect (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moth

'insect' is the definition.
(I know that Pterygota parent taxon insect)

'without hesitation parent' is the wordplay.
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound made while hesitating - um, er).
'parent' becomes 'mother' (type of parent).
'mother' with 'er' removed is 'MOTH'.

'produces' is the link.

(Other definitions for moth that I've seen before include "Fairy like 13" , "Night-flying insect" , "Night-flier" , "Shakespearean fairy?" , "Cloth-eating larva" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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