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Eduardo Fox:
Some insects do. (And some of them excrete quite a bit.)
The majority do not.
This assumes that 'peeing' is defined as 'expelling liquids from the rear.' Not all insects do this. Most will excrete mucky droppings, which are their main form of waste. However, a few species are capable of spraying liquids as a form of excretion.
Here's the explanation: The excretory systems of most insects are confined to their digestive tract, meaning they don't have real kidneys. Instead, they possess Malpighian tubules, which are like fine tendrils extending from their guts. These tubules collect nitrogenous waste from their 'blood' and transfer it into the hindgut. While this might resemble urine, it's not technically urine, as it mixes with the digestive contents where necessary water is reabsorbed. Consequently, all insect waste comes out the same way, typically in a fixed presentation style.
For example, caterpillars don't produce urine but they excrete a lot of solid waste, leaving tiny black droppings on plants. Wasps, on the other hand, mark the ground with a brown streak as their only form of waste. However, certain species do expel liquids. Aphids are known for releasing a sugary droplet of 'pee' called honeydew, which other insects sometimes drink. Cicadas, meanwhile, are notorious for spraying liquid like six-legged racehorses.
Have you ever been drenched by cicadas during summer? It's quite refreshing! Why do they release so much liquid? It's because they absorb more water than they need, but that's a different topic.
This article originally appeared on Quora. Click here to view it.
