The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MOTHS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
M
O
T
H
S
More clues leading to the result MOTHS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "They don’t do themselves any good when they come to light" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case they don’t do themselves any good when they come to light = moths.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 MOTHS mean?
MOTHS noun- A small particle; a speck.
- A meeting for discussion.
- A body of persons who meet for discussion, especially about the management of affairs.
- A place of meeting for discussion.
- A tiny computer for remote sensing; a component element of smartdust.
- A usually nocturnal insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from butterflies by feather-like antennae.
- Anything that gradually and silently eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing.
- To hunt for moths.
- The plant Vigna aconitifolia, moth bean.
- A liver spot, especially an irregular or feathery one.