New research shows that insects feel pain. The researchers say it isn't the same kind pain that humans feel. The pain that insects feel is a sensation that is pain. The research was conducted the University Sydney in Australia. Professor Greg Neely, co-author the research report, said: "People don't really think insects as feeling any kind pain, but it's already been shown lots of different invertebrate animals that they can sense and avoid dangerous [things] that we [think ] as painful." He added: "We knew that insects could sense 'pain' but what we didn't know is that an injury could lead to long-lasting hyper-sensitivity... a similar way to human patients' experiences."
The researchers looked how fruit flies reacted to injuries. The scientists damaged one leg fruit flies and allowed the leg to heal. They found that the leg fully healed, the flies became more sensitive and tried harder to protect their legs. Professor Neely said the pain the flies felt stayed their memory and this changed their behaviour. He said: "After the [insect] is hurt once badly, they are hypersensitive and try to protect themselves the rest their lives." Neely says he hopes to carry more research to better understand how humans feel pain. He said: "We are focused making new stem cell therapies or drugs that target the underlying cause and stop pain good."
