While exploring the zoom, you can also look here: https://www.flickr.com/groups/2763849@N23/pool/ This shows what people can do with that lens. Not many insect pictures, but there are some and I believe they look promising.
I often still use my external flash on the camera when using my telephoto. Just to push in some more light and fill in the shadows. I have not caught what kind of flash you are using, but if you are using flash heads that attach to the lens, then that would be a complication with switching between the zoom and a micro lens. My flash is not of that sort, so it is not an issue for me.
To hold the macro or zoom lens steady, I used to use a steadying pole (which worked great), but with a big 'ol zoom lens in my kit now I have bumped up to a monopod with a Y-yoke on top (similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Company-Adjustable-mono-pod-shooting/dp/B000AU4RTU/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1537063289&sr=8-14&keywords=Monopod+yoke ) rather than a head. I simply rest the lens on it when shooting, and it takes all the weight. I can even slow the shutter speed significantly, as if it was on a tripod, and still get good exposures on my crop sensor camera. To lug my camera around I use a Movo camera holster, which has been a great help.

Thanks again, to Sippy, and to Mark, who reminded me of FLICKR and other places. I haven't been holding that Tamron 150-600 mm steady enough since my -- recent -- 86th birthday, so I might go for a longish monopod. I doubt I'd be mistaken for Gandalf... I'm too short... :-)
73... ~jess
PS: I'm told that use of the word "shekel" is no longer acceptable. I meant no offense; I picked it up from a very good friend, the late Dr. Sid Cassin, Prof of Physiology at FL Med; Sid was my mentor in grad school; I miss him.