/r/insectsuffering

Photograph via snooOG

A place for content and discussion about ways to improve the welfare of insects and other invertebrates.

It's estimated there are about 1018 insects on Earth. Insects react aversively to negative stimuli, and they may be able to consciously suffer. Humans injure many insects by their activities, but most insect suffering occurs in the wild.

This subreddit explores how we can reduce suffering by the insects that we encounter personally, as well as by the insects affected indirectly through other actions and policies.

(Note: the term "insect" is here used informally to refer to insect-like beings. Think "bugs".)


Recommended reading:


Support research into invertebrate sentience and welfare by donating to Rethink Priorities.


Related subreddits:

/r/insectsuffering

1,650 Subscribers

5

Effective Charities for Insect Suffering?

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knew of effective charities related to insects and the reduction of harm caused to them.

My guess would be donating to research related to insect suffering; however there could be efforts that are more direct that I am unaware of.

6 Comments
2024/04/29
09:08 UTC

9

Shoes that don't harm insects when stepping?

I've been thinking about creating some shoes that actually don't harm (and most importantly, lethally harm) insects when stepping on them, do they exist already?

  1. A pattern of sole that reduces the area of contact (Easiest, least effective)
  2. Foam (i've tried to do some calculations and I failed)
  3. Little silicone or velcro hairs (so that the insects get in between them)
  4. Suction pads, air-in-sole or any other mechanism that would push or pull ants by air currents created when stepping or a moving foot

Is there anyone interested in this? I'm open to all kinds of help

15 Comments
2024/04/08
20:10 UTC

11

What’s your thoughts on people putting pesticides down around the perimeters of their house?

The owner of the house does that here, not much I can do about it. And I don’t know, maybe it’s reasonable, I don’t want bugs in my house (if any make their way in here I put most of em back outside). Infestation is no joke and seems like hell and I have to say we’ve always been good in that department and used to get an ant problem or two here and there before they started doing that and now we never do. That being said, I feel bad for them, and sometimes after the poison is put down I’ll find like a lil harmless bug that derped it’s way into here writhing in pain and illness on the floor to death until I put it out if it’s misery. And I feel bad for ‘em and I can’t help but think this pesticides around the house thing is pretty awful. But at the same time, any animal in nature would take measures to protect its habitat/environment/home, and that’s all it’s really meant to do and - although brutal - perhaps it’s necessary? But I don’t know, there’s gotta be another way lol. Anyways I was curious to hear some of your thoughts on this matter.

6 Comments
2023/10/06
15:03 UTC

9

Update on rescued moth and new question!

This is the terrarium I just made for the moth I hit with my lawn mower last week- it's still alive so I figured it should have a bit nicer place to live. Now I'm wondering... And this might be a dumb question... But since there are plants that need bright light, and the jar does come with a lid, would it be crazy to put the lid on it? Or is the air circulation super crucial for the moth's well-being?

Thanks in advance!

3 Comments
2023/06/22
00:10 UTC

2

A Collection of Random Questions I have, Related to Wild Animal Suffering

1 Comment
2023/06/07
00:07 UTC

4

New Faunalytics Resource: Invertebrate Fundamentals

0 Comments
2023/05/24
20:37 UTC

3

The Insect Institute

Why do we exist?

We address challenges and uncertainties related to the production and use of insects for food and feed. We aim to assist this novel industry, policymakers, and other interested parties by providing evidence-based information surrounding the rearing of insects and the creation of a food system that promotes public health, animal welfare, and sustainable protein production.

Among other outcomes, we expect our work will contribute to building evidence-based legislation on insect rearing and farming and guiding the industry toward best insect farming practices. We’re building an evidence-based approach for a protein production system that serves the common good.

Our work

We carry out activities such as:

  • Identifying crucial questions raised by the use of insect-based protein, whether faced by farmers, policymakers, consumers, or other relevant stakeholders
  • Collecting evidence and producing recommendations about the best ways to address such challenges
  • Supporting policymakers, farmers, and others in their efforts to put such recommendations into practice 

https://www.insectinstitute.org/

1 Comment
2023/02/24
11:49 UTC

11

Insects may feel pain, says growing evidence - here's what this means for animal welfare laws

1 Comment
2022/12/15
12:57 UTC

16

Injured Mantis body - what to do?

3 Comments
2022/09/05
02:55 UTC

6

Just rescued this Beetle from my pool. It appears to be missing its left middle leg, and its right hind leg is clearly injured. Can he survive with only 4 good legs? Or should I put him out of his misery?🥺

21 Comments
2022/08/31
23:11 UTC

13

A while ago this happened (before I was not very fond of spiders besides long legs

A long legs spider usually would always just be by me when I bathed but this time since there was so many in the bathroom I wanted him or her not by the tub I told my mom to get it down with the broom but she was really mean and got water to splash on it instead like 3 cups I kept in screaming "use the broom stop stoop!" I thought he was dead and I was just crying It was so sad I digged him outta the drain and he was alive after I got out but today I found him wrapped in silk dead Ik it's him because he's in the exact same spot I laid him or her in last time so sad why are people so mean to insects bugs and other crawling friends? SERIOUSLY!! I'm not scared of spiders anymore and I wasn't terrified (just not fond) of them in the past just a vent... :(

4 Comments
2022/08/03
09:52 UTC

Back To Top