He's torn apart by insect pests (7)

I believe the answer is:

hornets

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'insect pests' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'he's torn apart' is the wordplay.
'apart' indicates an anagram (the word is broken apart).
'hes'+'torn'='hestorn'
'hestorn' with letters rearranged gives 'HORNETS'.

'by' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hornets that I've seen before include "Large stinging wasps" , "Large type of wasps" .)

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

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