Why Do Bugs Die on Their Backs?

The intriguing phenomenon of insects being discovered on their backs after death has long captivated the curiosity of the scientific community. Whether it’s cockroaches, flies, crickets, or even spiders, these tiny creatures seem to universally adopt a posture in demise: lying on their backs, legs gracefully curled upward. But what enigmatic force resides behind this widespread occurrence? Scientists have tirelessly sought answers to this puzzling mystery.

Reasons Why Insects Turn Over When They Die

The subject of this prevalent phenomenon has ignited intense deliberation among both novice insect admirers and expert entomologists. The question being debated is whether the insect’s demise occurred due to its entrapment in an incapacitating position or if it deliberately turned over onto its back while breathing its last breath. Both arguments carry merit, and the ultimate answer hinges on the particular circumstances surrounding the insect’s passing.

Dead Insects’ Limbs Curl

The commonly cited rationale behind the supine posture of deceased insects is attributable to the “bending position” phenomenon. As an insect nears the end of its life or succumbs to mortality, the ability to sustain tension in its leg muscles diminishes, leading to a state of natural relaxation. Analogously, when one places their arm on a table with the palm down and fully relaxes the hand, a slight curling of the fingers is observed during rest. Similarly, the legs of an insect tend to curl or fold, inducing the creature (or spider) to adopt a back-facing orientation prior to its demise.

Now, the intriguing question arises: why do these insects not fall prone instead? The explanation lies in the influence of gravity. The dorsal aspect (the back) of the insect’s body holds greater mass, compelling the legs to exert an upward force as the body descends, thus averting a face-down position.

Restriction and Cutting off of Blood Flow to the Legs

An alternative reason could be the disruption of blood circulation within a dying insect’s body. As the insect approaches its demise, the flow of blood to its legs ceases, resulting in their reduction in size. As the creature’s demise progresses, its legs fold beneath its relatively weighty body, subsequently leading to a turning motion governed by the principles of physics.

Insecticides

The majority of robust insects and spiders, much like turtles, possess the ability to reorient themselves effectively. Nevertheless, certain circumstances can render them incapable of doing so. For instance, a diseased or weakened insect may find itself in an irreversible predicament, leading to eventual demise due to thirst, malnutrition, or predation.

However, when it comes to insects or spiders exposed to poisonous substances, the situation differs significantly. Many commonly used commercial pesticides target the nervous system, inducing convulsions and neurological dysfunction in the affected insects. As a result, these creatures uncontrollably kick their legs and lose their capacity to regain proper motor skills, which ultimately prevents them from turning around again.