Crossword Genius

Creatures likely to destroy position taken across street (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

locusts

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'creatures likely to destroy' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'position taken across street' is the wordplay.
'position' becomes 'locus' (I've seen this before).
'taken across' indicates putting letters inside.
'street' becomes 'st'.
'locus' going around 'st' is 'LOCUSTS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for locusts that I've seen before include "Grasshoppers of warm regions" , "can be a plague" , "Strippers" , "Destructive grasshoppers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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