Pain Level 4 is the highest level in the Schmidt sting pain index. Schmidt's original index rated only one such example, the sting of the bullet ant, as a 4. Schmidt described the sting as "pure, intense, brilliant pain...
The tarantula hawk has been awarded second place on the Schmidt's sting pain index, beaten only by the South American bullet ant, Paraponera clavata.
Some of the most common painful stingers in the Australian bush are native bulldog ants of the genus Myrmecia. These are some of the largest ants in the world and combine a painful sting with an aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude.
Nevertheless, the sting of the hornet hurts more anyway. The hornet is much larger and the diameter and length of its sting are larger. In addition, the sting has no hooks and that is why the hornet can sting someone several times (this also applies to wasps, but only the females have poison that causes pain).
According to Schmidt, the warrior wasp, tarantula hawk, bullet ant, red harvester ant, and paper wasp are the most pain-inflicting insects in the world.
While both types of stings can be painful and cause swelling, the venom in wasps is typically more potent. This means that you may experience greater symptoms after being stung by a wasp. In addition to knowing how to treat a sting, it's also helpful to know how to avoid them in the first place.
We find that velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) have the longest sting compared to their body size out of any bee, wasp, or ant species.
Even if you aren't allergic, adults that are stung more than a dozen times and children with multiple stings may need to get to a hospital. If you start to see signs of anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction), don't hesitate to call an ambulance.” These symptoms include: Difficulty breathing.
Depending on what type of ant bite you have, the bite or sting can turn into a blister. It might be tempting to pop the blister, but don't pop it! Popping a blister could lead to an infection. An infection is when bacteria and germs enter your body.
The average person can safely tolerate 10 stings per pound of body weight. This means that although 500 stings can kill a child, the average adult could withstand more than 1100 stings.
What to Expect: Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 48 hours after the sting. The redness can last 3 days.
To sting, a bee jabs a barbed stinger into the skin. Bee sting venom contains proteins that affect skin cells and the immune system, causing pain and swelling around the sting area. In people with a bee sting allergy, bee venom can trigger a more-serious immune system reaction.
A stonefish sting causes intense pain and swelling at the site of the sting. Swelling can spread to an entire arm or leg within minutes. Below are symptoms of a stonefish sting in different parts of the body. Bleeding.
A bee sting feels like a sharp poke, as if you've been jabbed with a needle unexpectedly. Swelling: The affected area typically swells a little, sometimes a lot. If you were stung on your hands or fingers, be sure to remove any rings quickly.
The point of the sting pierces the skin, but doesn't go in very deeply. At that point, the sting can be pulled out if the bee begins to leave.
Carpenter bees are fairly docile and one of the least aggressive stinging insects. They are considered pests because they bore holes into wooden structures.
The bullet ant has the distinction of delivering the most painful sting in the insect world, as evidenced by the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. 4 Some even believe that a bullet ant sting might be the most painful sting, period.
The Toe-Biter
Giant water bugs can grow to be nearly the length of your hand. If disturbed they will play dead, if you bother them some more they will sink their needle like mouth deep into your body. Their bites are viciously painful and last for hours.
And although they won't seek you out for an attack, they also won't hesitate to take a defensive bite if you get too close, earning them the nickname “toe-biters.” They puncture the skin with dagger-like mouth parts, and have a bite known as one of the most painful of any insect — sharp and stinging like a wasp's.
Executioner Wasp
This newly discovered wasp was likely named after its sting. Since it was a new species that hadn't been analyzed by Justin Schmidt, a wildlife expert named Coyote Peterson followed in Schmidt's footsteps to seek out the species. He was stung by it and described it as far worse than the Bullet Ant.
A honey bee is able to sting a person or predator using its stinger. Honey bee stings are quite painful and even life threatening to a small percentage of people who are allergic to the venom. Honey bees usually sting as a form of defense of themselves or their colony.
Wasp stings can cause a painful burning sensation under the skin that some have described as almost “electric” in nature. This feeling is due to the wasp's needle-like stinger sending venom into the victim's skin with each sting. The pain duration is usually about 5-10 minutes before the discomfort starts to subside.