Can Insects Feel? A Look Into the Minds of Bugs
When we swat a mosquito, flush a cockroach down a toilet, or hose off a parade of ants, we seldom pause to contemplate the ethical implications behind our actions. Yet, emerging clues of insects’ sentience might be starting to change that. As we tread the fine line between pest control and moral concerns, we take a moment to probe into the potential complexities of insect cognition and behaviour. Get a quick glimpse into the minds of bugs here:
Emotions vs Instincts
Both emotions and instincts are forms of motivation. While emotions refer to the feelings experienced from one’s circumstances, instincts deal with one’s natural reflexes in response to certain stimuli. The widely shared consensus is that insects operate on reflexes — hardwired to react to sensory events around them. But growing evidence suggests that insects might be capable of experiencing a range of emotions. This ability is known as sentience. Examples of sentience include happiness, anger, excitement, exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and most notably, pain.
How Sentient Are Insects?
Insects are understood as automata that react reflexively without the involvement of physical or psychological pain. This lack of consciousness often leads to the impression that they aren’t intelligent or have the ability to learn from experience. While insects don’t have the same complex brain structures as humans, this does not remove the possibility that they are capable of undergoing and understanding pain and pleasure beyond instinctual responses.
Pain
Insects have been noted to display signs of nociception, a term used to describe the detection (and avoidance) of painful stimuli. Nociception is processed by the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Noxious stimuli, such as extreme temperatures and pressure, can trigger this reflexive response.
However, findings have indicated that insects might possess more cognitive capacity than reacting based on instinct alone. They may, in fact, feel the same “ouch-like” sensation produced by the brain that’s classified as pain. And just like us humans, they could possibly act against that instinct in spite of discomfort, driven by other motivations.
This was cited in a study done on bumblebees by researchers at the Queen Mary University of London, who found that bees chose to avoid heated feeders until they realised that the heated feeder dispensed sweeter sugar water than those unheated.
Pleasure
Similarly, insects’ perception of pleasure might be closer to ours than we think. In an experiment detailed by Lars Chittka, author of The Mind of a Bee, bees presented the ability to associate colours with rewards, and on top of that, showed signs of optimism with long-standing positive effects when they received one.
Most significantly, they were observed to be more “cheerful” and recovered quicker after being exposed to a fake predator, compared to those who had not received a sugary reward. Separately, bees were found to opt for caffeine — a substance that can help boost their efficiency — and self-medicate with nicotine when sick. On the opposite end of pleasure, flies have also demonstrated coping with bouts of stress with “learned helplessness”, a behaviour reflective of depression in animals.
A Call for Deeper Inquiry
Even though cognitive evidence supporting the existence of insect pain has laid the foundation for questioning our current understanding, definitive proof is still lacking. Further research is imperative to close this gap.
Exclusion of Insects from Animal Welfare Laws
Most animal welfare laws are designed to protect mammals, birds, and certain species of reptiles and amphibians, all of which are vertebrates. However, these laws typically do not extend to invertebrates such as insects, largely due to the belief that they lack sentience and therefore do not require legal protection. Additionally, certain species of insects are commonly recognised as pests and are subjected to control methods rather than protection measures to preserve human safety and health.
So, Can Insects Feel Pain?
The question of whether insects feel pain is complex and evolving. While traditionally seen as operating purely on instinct, recent studies suggest that insects may possess a level of sentience, including the ability to experience pain and pleasure.
Despite these findings, empirical evidence of insect pain remains elusive, necessitating further research. As our understanding of insect cognition continues to expand, so too must our considerations surrounding the implications of our actions — especially those of us who require pest control assistance.
Approaching Pest Control with Finesse
At Star Bugs, we approach pest management with sensitivity and mindfulness, seeking solutions that minimise harm while effectively addressing pest issues. In view of the growing field, we also continually advance our knowledge through education and innovation.
By embracing a more holistic framework, we can strive for pest management strategies that not only safeguard the interests of humans and our beloved pets, but also respect the intrinsic value of insect life in our ecosystems. We endeavour not to upset the balance, but rather to uphold harmony for life forms.
Looking to eliminate insects in a quick and effective manner? Find out more about Star Bugs’ 5-star-rated pest management techniques now, executed by some of the best NEA-approved technicians. Contact us here and let us schedule a free on-site inspection together.