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NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Insects on Backs When Dead 
Name: Janine H.
Status: student
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 5/18/2004
Question:
Why do bugs/insects turn over on their backs when they die?

Replies:
I am not sure that they really do, or that we just happen to find them that way sometimes. It might be that because the legs of most insects are lighter than the body, and so once they are dead they would be more likely to be tipped over by any external force and gravity.

J. Elliott

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