While they are seeking food, insects and animals often crawl into the pitches. what word(or words) does the clause modify?

The words that the time clause “While they are seeking food” modifies are “insects and animals”. In this case, the time clause is adding information about the nouns it is modifying. Clauses are dependent sentences that need the main clause to complete its meaning.

the use supports it by making it seem like the dictators are not bad to the people when the truly are.