The Most Painful Sting You Can Survive: Debunked

Ever wondered which critter packs the most painful sting that a human can actually survive? From backyard barbecues to jungle expeditions, stinging insects and marine life are always a potential hazard. Let's dive into the world of venom and pain, exploring the infamous Schmidt Pain Index and beyond to uncover the most excruciating stings.

Quantifying the Agony: The Schmidt Pain Index

Justin O. Schmidt, an entomologist with a penchant for pain, developed the Schmidt Pain Index. This scale ranks stings from 1 to 4, with 1 being the least painful and 4 being the most. Schmidt bravely endured stings from 150 different Hymenopteran species (ants, bees, and wasps) to create this index.

Common Stings: Bees and Wasps

• Western Honeybee & Yellowjacket: Both received a rating of 2, described as "kind of average."
• Tropical Carpenter Bee: Slightly more intense at 2.5, with a sting described as “Electrifying, sharp and piercing.”

The Level 4 Contenders: Warrior Wasp and Tarantula Hawk

• Warrior Wasp: This Central and South American wasp delivers a sting Schmidt described as "Torture. You are chained in the flow of an active volcano."
• Tarantula Hawk: A US native, this wasp paralyzes tarantulas with its sting. Schmidt described the sensation as “Blinding, fierce, shockingly electric. A running hair dryer has just been dropped into your bubble bath.”

The Bullet Ant: A Near-Perfect Score

The bullet ant, named for the sensation of being shot, earned a level 4 (or 4+) rating. Schmidt described the sting as "Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch rusty nail in your heel."

Beyond Schmidt: New Challengers Emerge

Coyote Peterson (YouTube wildlife educator), Adam Thorn, and Rob