Dead Insects Position?

Question

Why do certain insects always seem to cross and intersect their limbs in death? I'll always find dead moth or spiders in such positions by my window sill.

Answer 1

When the insect is dead the inability to flex and extend is lost so the legs of many insects are drawn close to the body, while insects with long spindly legs like Crane flies look exactly the same-dead and alive. The joints of each leg are much larger(longer) so the legs don't change position, unless all the moisture is drawn out of the insect.

Answer 2

in insects the muscle which bends the legs is clearly stronger than the muscle which extends the legs. As with the insect drying out both muscles contract, but as the bending muscle has more mass it always wins.
Spiders extend their legs using blood pressure, not muscles. If they die, there is no blood pressure, consequently the legs will flex.