In Jainism, every living being with a soul (jiva) has some level of consciousness, but the extent of that consciousness varies with the type of being.

• Insects are considered jivas too, but they are among the lower forms of life with the simplest sense organs and mental faculties. They have fewer senses (in Jain classifications, beings can be 1-sensed up to 5-sensed like humans). This means their perception, memory, and ability to experience joy, pain, or thoughts are far more limited than those of higher animals or humans.
• The key point is not that insects have no consciousness, but that their consciousness is comparatively minimal. They operate with basic awareness and reactions rather than the richer mental and moral capacities seen in higher animals and humans.
• Despite their lower level of consciousness, Jains treat all jivas with respect and aim to minimize harm to all living beings. This is why ahimsa (non-violence) is a central ethical principle in Jain practice, extending to even the smallest insects.

Differences between Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions may discuss various classifications of jivas and the details of senses, but both traditions affirm that all jivas are worthy of non-violence and care, with insects occupying the lowest echelons of conscious experience among sentient beings.