Are turning the switch on when the insect appears (6)
I believe the answer is:
earwig
'when the insect appears' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'are turning the switch' is the wordplay.
'turning' indicates anagramming the letters.
'the switch' becomes 'wig' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'are' is an anagram of 'ear'.
'ear'+'wig'='EARWIG'
'on' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for earwig that I've seen before include "Insect with large rear pincers" , "Small insect with pincers at end of its body" , "Eavesdrop (informal)" , "An insect, I wager (anag.)" , "Pincered insect" .)