Cryptic crossword clue
Rank alongside aphids, ultimately, as parasites 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SPONGING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "as parasites" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case as parasites = sponging.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does SPONGING mean?

SPONGING verb
  1. To take advantage of the kindness of others.
  2. To get by imposition; to scrounge.
  3. To deprive (somebody) of something by imposition.
  4. To clean, soak up, or dab with a sponge.
  5. To suck in, or imbibe, like a sponge.
  6. To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to efface; to destroy all trace of.
  7. To be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast or leaven.
SPONGING noun
  1. The application of a sponge.

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