Do you believe insects have feelings?

No.

 

I believe that all living things have feelings.

 

I think they do. At least, I always treat them as if they do.

So many people I see just feel the need to kill every single insect they see. I just don't get it... If they aren't bothering you just leave them alone. Jeez...

 

Most of the time, I don't mind them. I can deal with them when I'm outside or in the woods and stuff.

But if I see them in my house, it's over.

I shall show them no mercy.

Especially if it flies.

But besides that, I'm fine with them. I don't think there's any evidence supporting the accusation that they harbor emotion. If there was some, I might consider changing my ways.

 

Maybe.

I really hope plants can suffer, too.

 

If I'm outside, I'll either avoid or, if I have to, move the said insect. It isn't fair to, just, swat or crush them. They're just doing insect things...

Now, there is one exception to this. If I ever find an insect, especially a spider, in my bed, then that's that. They should know better!

 

Actually, see, I kinda like spiders. I don't know why; I'm just kind of silly like that. I hate bees, wasps and yellow jackets. I'll kill the fuck out of those things. But spiders are the win. ^^

 

You might change your mind should you ever go camping in Australia.

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As for the question: Yes, I believe that they do. I don't think they have complex emotions in the same way mammals (especially humans) do, but they definitely have physical feelings, and I remember my bio teacher from two years ago saying that some insects are thought to experience some of the most basic emotions, if you can use the word.

 

Yes, those can be quite annoying. Especially the ones that, for whatever reason, like to hover around your head, all day.

 

Not the way we do.
But torturing them would still feel terrible and wrong to me. I don't like to see anything suffer

 

I think so though most likely not to the capacity we do. They are sentient beings who (according to most) feel some level of pain so therefore I leave the majority of them alone (unless it's a mosquito or flea because they pose a threat to my dog).

 

I once saw an ant shed a single teardrop as I committed a horrific act of genocide against his fellow brothers and sisters. Then I killed him, too. That will send a message to the others of their kind: Stay OUT of my kitchen!

In all seriousness, I do not think insects have feelings. They lack the higher neurological brain capacity for that to be possible. Though, I suppose it is possible that they could feel something akin to what we would experience as fear. The reasons for this are obvious, since such a basic emotion would protect them from harm. That is the evolutionary advantage of the fight or flight response.

However, more complicated emotions than fight or flight? I find that hard to believe. What little brain function an insect has is probably limited to governing its autonomic nervous system. That means if the insect were a human, we would likely be declaring him/her/other brain dead.

 

If I find an insect in the house I will try to put in out the window wherever possible. The exception is wasps, who are fucking evil. Unlike bees who only sting if they feel they absolutely need to, wasps will sting you over and over again just for the hell of it, and also release a scent that invites other stripey bastards to join in the fun! Interesting fact: Parasitic Wasps were the inspiration for the film Alien, due to their habit of turning caterpillars into zombie like hosts for their eggs. Seeing this cycle made Darwin question the existence of god. Google them if you want to learn some really weird and interesting nature stuff.

 

This isn't really an opinion question.
Short answer: They do not have feelings
Long answer: Since they do not have a brain (only masses of neurons called ganglia), they lack the part of the brain needed for emotions and emotional responses, they do feel pain, or at least they react to it. Really the only feeling they feel is lust (when looking for a mate) and anger (when defending themselves or a hive), but both of those are also debatable.
However, I always treat insects with kindness. Unless they can be used as food for one of my mantises, in which case the only insect I'm kind to is the mantis. Also mosquitoes can all go burn in hell.

 

To put it simply, no.

To complicate it, they do have nerves I believe and basic responses to threats and pain, but I am not sure those reactions are any more than automatic reactions to avoid getting killed/eaten. I don't think they have any feelings nearly close to that of humans or other animals. It really depends how you define feelings. Do they respond to stimulus? Yes. Do they actually experience and have conscious thoughts of these reactions? Highly Doubtful. Are they capable of complex emotions? No.

Edit: Just noticed the person above me practically said the same thing.

 

This pretty much sums it up for me too.
They aren't capable of emotion.