The Week Crosswird No 1079

[ltaddy]

21A. A natural historian, and cricket expert. (13). I think this is 'LEPIDOPTERIST'. But need the explanation please.

[Mamyalynne]

Crickets are Orthoptera, but we ditched that last night.

[Seemystripes]

I have L_ _ _ _ _P_E_I_ _ so lepidopterist fits but is incorrect and crickets come under orthopterist but I’m assuming there’s an error in the clue. It’s not unknown. It is bugging me though.

[Mamyalynne]

Looks like sloppy work from the setter.

[fiction-factory]

It's bugging me too.( Good pun if intended)

[Seemystripes]

Originally unintentional, but spotted it before posting and left it as it was apt.

In the same issue, the answer from clue of the week from two weeks ago is given:
A red giant explodes, becoming a dark star, perhaps (9 letters, first letter T)
A: Crucible- which doesn’t start with a T, last time I checked!

I get frustrated going round in circles on clues that I later discover I should’ve known, and those where I’ve never heard of the answer as I curse my ignorance but I get annoyed when I’ve wasted an awful lot of thought and frustration on a clue to find that a mistake is in there!
Tim might get an email about this one! It’s rare I spot mistakes on the Week one whereas the Times Quick often has slightly sloppy definitions

[fiction-factory]

And cRUCIBLE is only 8 letters not 9. I can't see how that solution relates to the clue

[fiction-factory]

tragedian for that one?

[Mamyalynne]

Tragedian is right for that.

[Seemystripes]

That’s what I’d put. I may never know for sure now!