Naked Attraction by Hawk

Puzzle explanation

The first of the extra words in clues spelt “Marches could be passing new light aircraft” for MOTHS; the last letters spelt “Love to recall clip of wardrobe malfunction” for FLAME. The letter replacements in the grid revealed BOUGIE at 29dn, where a candle was drawn with its flame in the central empty cell, and seven moths (highlighted) reading inwards to the flame: MAGPIE, OWLET, LUNA, VENEER, CARPET, EGGAR, IO. Hawk is also a type of moth.

Clue explanations

Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal

No Extra word Answer Explanation
Across
1 motel STATIM TIM after STA
5   VOARS V + OARS
11 alto UNDERN UNDERPIN − PI
12 Rev STAR RATS <
13 casserole DOLL DO + ’LL
14 honest VENDIS VEND + IS
15 Echo SPRUE 2 meanings
17 subeditor STATS 2 meanings
19 clove ESTER FORESTER − FOR
20 organic RYOT (dai)RY OT(herwise)
21 umbrella REDSTART RED + START
23 lentil COMMY COMPANY with M for PAN
24 denominational HOWLER 2 meanings
26   HAGGED HAD around EGG <
27   ALGID AL(e) + DIG <
28 basic EBONISTS (ONE’S BITS) *
32   NAPS 2 meanings
35 eternal ROTAS ROT + AS
36 Pompeii SCUTS SCOUTS − O
37   SQUIZ S + QUIZ
38 airstrip SLIGHT 2 meanings
39 solo RACY RAY around C
40 staff LAIR L + AIR
41 in-law ELIDED EDILE < + ’D
42 Nea NISSE homophone of NIS
43 gatherer BROLLY ROLL in BY
Down
1   SUDSER DRE(yf)USS *
2 neared TROPAEOLACEAE PROTEA * + OLEACEAE − E
3 extractor ALL-RED ALL + RED
4 weirdo INVESTED 2 meanings
5 lamb VENTER V + ENTER
6 inside ORDER ((pressu)RE DRO(pping)) <
7   ANISE KYANISE − KY
8 geranium STRAY TRAYS *
9 Heimskringla TAUTOMETRICAL (ACTUAL TRIO) * around MET
10 tutorial CRUSTY C + RUSTY
16 Aardwolf STARE 2 meanings
18 impromptu TROG TR + OG
22 relation THOTH THOFT − F + H
23   CANASTER CAN + ASTER
25 Cognac LIST 2 meanings
27   ANSELM (c)LANSME(n) *
29 Rambert BOOGIE B(allet) O(pens) + GO < + I’ + E
30 Alumni SQUALL QU in SALL(y)
31 forgo SYZYGY S(omebod)Y Z(ealousl)Y G(aller)Y
33 tumbledown PUGIN PUG + IN
34   ISLES SILES with S lowered
35   RAILS LAIR * + S
Clues from extra words
    MOTHS MONTHS − N
    FLAME ((wardrob)E MALF(unction)) <
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