Crossword Genius

Pickpocket on time? Time for flies and mosquitoes? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

diptera

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

'flies and mosquitoes?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'pickpocket on time? time' is the wordplay.
'pickpocket' becomes 'dip' (synonyms).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'time?' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'time' becomes 'era' (era is a kind of time).
'dip'+'t'+'era'='DIPTERA'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

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

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app