Do Insects Sleep?

My boys and I were discussing this interesting topic this morning.

Short answer: Yes, but not the way we do. The vast majority of insects are active only during the day or only at night, and they will rest during their off-time.

We read that some bees will clamp onto a plant with their jaws in the evening, let go with their legs, which they then fold up. They will hold that pose all night long, dangling there, until they wake up the next morning. Many of the species which do this use the same spot every evening. Supposedly, this behavior is about the closest thing any insect has to conventional sleep.

However, the case that amazed us most is the New Zealand weta, "a large flightless cricket relative, which lives at high altitude and freezes solid every evening, thawing out in the morning to go about its business. The wonders of antifreeze!"

Whew. I'm glad we solved that mystery.

I don't know about you, but I really enjoy sleep. Especially when I'm prego!!!

Rejoice!
Marla