Little bits of insect eaten by boys (9)
I believe the answer is:
smidgeons
'little bits' is the definition.
'smidgeons' can be an answer for 'bits' (I have seen 'tiny bits' mean 'smidgeons' so perhaps 'bits' could also mean 'smidgeons'). I am not sure about the 'little' bit.
'insect eaten by boys' is the wordplay.
'insect' becomes 'midge' (midge is a kind of insect).
'eaten by' is an insertion indicator.
'boys' becomes 'sons' ('son' can be a synonym of 'boy').
'midge' going within 'sons' is 'SMIDGEONS'.
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for smidgeons that I've seen before include "Informally, very small amounts" , "tiny bits" .)