The scientific case for insect sentience has grown substantially in recent years, with new neurological and behavioral evidence informing welfare frameworks for farmed and wild insects.
Insects present a challenging welfare case: they are extraordinarily numerous, their sentience is uncertain but increasingly plausible, and welfare interventions at scale would be highly impactful if justified. Leading scientists now advocate for precautionary welfare standards. Key concerns include crowding stress, inadequate substrates, and inhumane slaughter methods such as grinding or freezing without prior stunning.