The Unexpected Bug Known For Having The Most Painful Sting In The World

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Almost everyone who has spent any time outdoors has been stung or bitten by insects at some point. Most have found the experience quite unpleasant. As a result, there is an almost never-ending search for effective insect repellents, and campers put forth plenty of effort to keep bugs out of tents. However, despite these precautions, most outdoors-minded individuals don't have a vivid recollection of a specific sting — like that of a mosquito — beyond a general sense of discomfort. By contrast, anyone who has been stung by a bullet ant, the insect known for having the most painful sting in the world, is likely to remember it for a long, long time.

Like most insects, bullet ants aren't large. They are, however, fairly big as far as ants go, ranging in size from 18 to 30 millimeters, meaning they get just over an inch long. Like other ant species, the bullet ant has large mandibles. It also has a prominent stinger on the other end, which is actually large enough to be visible to the naked eye. Although there is an ant species that has also been dubbed the bullet ant living in Texas, the OG bullet ant lives in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. While both are able to inflict significant pain, it is the original bullet ant, Paraponera clavata, that lays claim to the title of most painful sting in the world.

Since they aren't found in North America, bullet ants aren't a concern if you are camping in a national park or elsewhere in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada. However, they are a creature to beware of when adventuring in the Amazon Rainforest or elsewhere in Central and South America.

Although people often refer to ant bites, it is the stinger of the bullet ant that injects a pain-inducing concoction. While they can grasp skin with their large mandibles, that only serves to hold them in place while they use their stinger, much like a wasp or bee, to inject venom. The substance they inject is actually a neurotoxin peptide that causes not only severe pain, but also muscle contractions, spasms, and an intense burning. On the Schmidt Pain Index, which is used to rate how painful insect stings are on a scale of 0 to 4, the sting of a bullet ant rates a 4.

The intensity of this pain, which some victims have likened to being shot, is actually why this little creature is referred to as the bullet ant. Alternatively, they are referred to as the 24-hour ant because it often takes that long for the pain to subside. Luckily, bullet ants aren't particularly aggressive. However, if stung by one, it is best to leave the area quickly lest the rest of the colony attack as well.

The best bet for preventing such an incident if you are adventuring in bullet ant territory is to always dress appropriately and be aware of your surroundings. Tall boots, such as the Rocky ProLight Waterproof Snake Boot, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts are recommended. While not much can be done to relieve the pain if you are stung, you should be sure to load your emergency supply kit with items such as OTC pain relievers, hydrocortisone cream, and antihistamines so as to be able to get whatever relief is possible.