As evidence for insect sentience and nociception grows, the welfare of insects used in laboratory research is receiving increasing attention from ethicists and some regulatory bodies.
The welfare status of insects in research presents a genuine ethical challenge. While regulatory frameworks typically do not require welfare consideration for invertebrates, growing scientific evidence suggests that at least some insect species have capacities for suffering that warrant ethical attention. Research using Drosophila, locusts, honeybees, and bumblebees constitutes the majority of insect research. The application of humane endpoints, minimisation of painful procedures, and development of in vitro alternatives reflects a precautionary approach to insect welfare in research.