Top 10 Most Painful Insect Bites

If insects gross you out, then this list is not for you! Welcome to Watchmojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the top ten most painful insect bites in the world. For this list, we’ll be ranking the intensity of both bites and stings, based on research conducted by a brave (or, crazy?) scientist named Justin Schmidt. In 1984, he decided to use himself as a test subject for determining the pain level of insect bites. He then created the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, which categorizes the pain caused by these wounds. The bites and stings featured on this list don’t cause death, unless you have an allergy.

These little wild bees are loners and are vital to their ecosystems. They are present pretty much all over the world, except in South-East Asia and Australia. They are especially attracted to . . .you guessed it, sweat. These bees only sting when they feel threatened, and their bite is neither dangerous nor savagely painful. According to the Schmidt Index, the pain is “light, ephemeral, almost fruity.” So, to avoid being stung, keep calm and carry on using a good deodorant.

#9: Fire Ants

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Fire ants are originally from Brazil, but are slowly invading much of the rest of the planet. Although their bite is described as “sharp, sudden, mildly alarming,” on the Schmidt Index, its venom is sterile. This means that bacteria cannot penetrate and infect the bite. Woo hoo! But . . . fire ants are smart. After the slightest disturbance, workers release alarm pheromones, a chemical signal that can raise the entire mound to defense within seconds. And rather than just stinging, they start off by biting their attacker in order to grip onto them before planting their dart into their skin. D’oh!

These ants have a very special habitat, living in harmony with the acacia tree and making their empty branches their home. The ants protect the tree from attackers, other insects, and even from us. In return, the ants feed off the tree’s very nourishing nectar. The brownish pods at the end of some leafs are the perfect nutrient packed food for the ant larvae. But despite their innocent appearance, these ants are very aggressive. Once they leaves their hiding place, they don’t hesitate to sting whoever dares approach their home. Their bite is categorized as a “rare, piercing and elevated sort of pain.”

Bald-faced hornets are the largest of their species and are very aggressive in nature. Unluckily for us, they only live in North America. These wasps make their nests in high altitudes, sometimes even 65 feet above ground. They feed off nectar, and also other insects and carcasses. These wasps aren’t the most dangerous out there, but their bite is still very unpleasant. Schmidt describes it as “rich, hearty and slightly crunchy.” Wait, . . . are these insect bites, or chicken nuggets?

These black and yellow wasps have a pretty unique defense mechanism. They emit a chemical odor around their nest to scare off predators. Contrary to bees, their darts don’t remain in their victims’ skin, which allows them to sting multiple times. Oh, goody! The pain, according to Justin Schmidt, is “hot and smoky, almost irreverent.” But beware… these wasps like sugar from fruits, and foods consumed by humans, particularly sweet drinks. So make sure to look around you while you’re having that picnic. THEY ARE COMING.

#5: Killer Bees

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These bees are a cross between African and Western honeybees. These breeds were initially crossed in hopes of increasing honey productivity. This dangerous mix occurred in 1956, in Brazil. Hey, what could go wrong??? Welp, it turned out to be a mistake that would have enormous consequences. These super-bees unfortunately escaped into the wild and continued to reproduce. Their venom is not more dangerous than that of other breeds, but they’re insatiable. They sting multiple times, and can chase their victim for miles! Strangely, this bee is not featured on Schmidt’s Index. Maybe he was scared of being pursued?

Let’s kick off with some unpleasant news. Only a paltry 10mg of venom from a red ant is enough to take down a 176-pound man. Its aggressiveness allows it to kill much bigger animals. According to Schmidt, the pain is “bold and unrelenting” (that’s bad, right?) and, much like a Bruce Springsteen concert, can last for over four hours. During its attack, it begins by biting its victim repeatedly before stinging it. Its poison also rings tha chemical alarm for its fellow ants, who will in turn immediately begin attacking as a group. These insects are capable of causing a lot of damage, wrecking crops and even harming cattle.

These wasps are easily identified by their slender frame and orange antennas. They are particularly found in Asia, Australia and North America. They mostly build their nests on human constructions such as rooftops, but prefer hibernating inside trees, underground or even inside houses in wintertime. The queens fight for glory: there are several of them, but the dominant one of the bunch eats the others’ newborn larvae. Now that’s metal! The pain from its venomous stinger is described as “caustic and burning.” We wouldn’t be laughing after being stung by one of these.

#2: Spider Wasps

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Looking for the hardcore badasses of the insect world? These wasps hunt tarantulas. Appropriately nicknamed “tarantula hawks,” these wasps are not afraid of fighting against these fearsome spiders to feed their little ones. Their huge dart measures 7mm and stings very deep. The pain is immediate, and can paralyze its victim for several minutes. Schmidt classified this pain as “blinding, fierce and shockingly electric.” But although the pain is extremely intense, the high volume of venom this species shoots out is, thankfully, not toxic. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few dishonorable mentions: Tsetse Flies Fleas Assassin Bugs

And our top “winner” is . .. the bullet ant! We know you’re wondering: why exactly are they called bullet ants? Well, it’s because their sting is so unbelievably painful, it feels like you were shot. (Hey, you wanted to know.) .Because the pain can last up to 24 hours, it has also been nicknamed the “24-hour ant”. These big ants are both feared and respected. In some Amazonian tribes, they’re used in rituals marking the passage from childhood into adulthood. Young men must place their hands in gloves filled with these ants for a loooooong 10 minutes. According to Schmidt, the pain is “pure, intense and brilliant.” According to us . . .nope, no thank you.