Crossword Genius

PA tried various fliers (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

diptera

'fliers' is the definition.
(biological order containing flies)

'pa tried various' is the wordplay.
'various' indicates an anagram.
'pa'+'tried'='patried'
'patried' with letters rearranged gives 'DIPTERA'.

(Other definitions for diptera that I've seen before include "Flighty little types" , "Flies" , "Insects" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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