| INCHWORM | Insect named for the way it moves, not for its length |
| NILE | River known for its length |
| MERIT | Like former IT support but not for its worthiness (5) |
| MANTIS | Praying ____, slender predatory insect named for the look of its folded forelegs (6) |
| FROSTING | American layer cake's sweet iced mantle, named for the way it mimics rime or frozen dew (8) |
| LADYBUG | Insect named for the Virgin Mary |
| BLOOMERS | Old-fashioned knee-length knickers; loaves named for the way they rise in ovens; or, embarrassing blunders (8) |
| REWARDED | Recompensed for the way it drew a Red out of it (8) |
| PRAYING | Carnivorous insect named after the way it sits whilst waiting for its prey (7,6) |
| CATERS | Provides for the way it reacts (6) |
| NEARS | There's a lot of reason given for the way it approaches (5) |
| APPRECIATED | Was grateful for the way it rose in value (11) |
| CRAZYANT | Longhorn ___, social insect named for its erratic movements (5,3) |
| ARMYANT | Insect named for its "raids" |
| FIREANT | Insect named for its burning sting |
| KATYDID | Insect named for its sound |
| IOMOTH | Insect named for a character in Greek mythology |
| LUNAMOTHS | Insects named for a moon goddess |
| DECEMBER | White-faced nocturnal insect, named after the winter month in which it's abundant (8, 4) |
| MOTH | White-faced nocturnal insect, named after the winter month in which it's abundant (8, 4) |
