Crossword Genius

Cut loss caused by plague creators (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

locusts

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'plague creators' is the definition.
I know that 'plague' relates to this answer. I also know that both the answer and definition are plural nouns

'cut loss caused' is the wordplay.
'caused' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'causing' mean this).
'cut'+'loss'='cutloss'
'cutloss' is an anagram of 'LOCUSTS'.

'by' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

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

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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