<p>Live feeder insects are widely used in the husbandry of captive insectivorous reptiles, yet their welfare has received far less attention than that of live vertebrate prey. This narrative review examines whether that asymmetry remains justified in light of recent work on insect nociception, pain-like states, and sentience, particularly in taxa commonly used as feeders. Although the evidence remains uneven across species and life stages, it is now sufficiently suggestive in several groups to warrant precautionary welfare concern and is supported by the evidence for sentience. The review argues that welfare risks arise not only during predation, but across the feeder-insect husbandry chain, including breeding, transport, retail storage, home maintenance, and presentation as live prey. It also considers whether live feeding is genuinely necessary for enrichment or nutrition in captive reptiles. While live insects may support behavioural engagement and can be nutritionally enhanced through gut loading, these benefits are context-dependent and do not establish that live feeding is always required. The review further discusses priorities for future research, the need for clearer policy and husbandry standards, the role of education in improving insect welfare literacy, and the emerging implications of artificial intelligence for public-facing husbandry advice. Overall, the current disparity between concern for vertebrate feeder animals and relative indifference to feeder insects is no longer fully supported by the evidence for sentience. Feeder insects should therefore be recognised as legitimate subjects of animal-welfare analysis, with precautionary but proportionate standards applied to their use.</p>