I've wondered exactly how she could differentiate between prey insects and her own young. I believe it has something to do with the tiny hairs they have all over their body. By the time the babies have had their first molt and begin to come down from the mothers back, they all have visible hairs. I think because these hairs are incredibly sensitive, they all know that they are with their own kind even if the mother can't see the babies that are under her.

I've read and found out from other members that cannibalism of babies is rare among emperors compared to other species. So there is definitely something going on with the level of intelligent instinct that they have.