The Ant and the Blade of Grass

[qwnu]

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Freezing, is a behavioral trait that occurs in mid-life. Unlike beneficial mid-life physical traits (like waiting to a certain age to become reproductive), this behavioral trait is presumably "learned" in adulthood. After the fact, so to speak.

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I think you're making an artificial distinction between physical traits, which you understand to be genetic, and behavioral traits, which you presume to be learned.

But you've answered your own question by stating that insects are, to the first approximation, purely dumb automatons, incapable of learning. Therefore the behavior must be driven by genetic factors.

The expression of genes as physical structures is no less complex than the expression of genes as behaviors.

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Freezing, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily complete any meaningful purpose.

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In this context, I'd say staying alive is the most meaningful purpose there is.