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According to the latest research conducted by a Swiss University in case of flies ignorance is bliss for longer lifespan. Scientists Joep Burger and Tadeusz Kawecki at the University of Lausanne said that “a negative correlation between an improvement in a fly’s mental capacity and its longevity has been discovered by them.”

The results of their research project are published in the Evolution Journal. To conduct their research study flies from the Basel region of North-Western Switzerland were divided into 2 groups. Intelligence of one group of flies was enhanced with the help of Pavlovian method where as the other group was left in their natural state. In Pavlovian method involves association of taste and smell with a particular food or other experiences involved.

At least 30-40 generations of flies underwent Pavlovian method resulting in flies that remembered and learned things better and longer. The group of flies left in their natural state had longer lifespan as compared to their intelligent counterparts. It was found that flies in the natural state had an average lifespan of 80-85 days whereas other group flies had of 50-60 days.

The scientists involved in the research study said: “In other terms, the more the fly becomes intelligent, the shorter its lifespan.” Scientists speculated that the increase in fly’s neural activities weakens its other life support system. They said: “This would explain why flies, like most other animals, have hardly developed their neural capacities.”