The Schmidt Sting Pain Index: A Unique Perspective on Insect Stings
"Scientist's harrowing account: Insect delivers severe, unrelenting agony, according to researcher stung for scientific purposes"
The Schmidt Sting Pain Index is a captivating scale devised by American entomologist Dr Justin O Schmidt to compare the pain inflicted by the stings of various hymenopterans (ants, bees, and wasps). Dr Schmidt, who won a 2015 Ig Nobel Prize for his work, developed the index based on his personal experiences, intentionally subjecting himself to stings from different species to provide detailed, first-hand descriptions of their pain [1].
The scale ranges from 1 (mild pain) to 4 (the most severe pain imaginable) [4]. Each level is accompanied by a vivid, often colorful description of the sensation, making the index both scientific and memorable [1].
How It Ranks Insect Stings
| Insect | Common Name | Pain Level | Description/Quotation | |------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Solenopsis invicta | Red Imported Fire Ant | 1.2 | "Sharp, sudden, mildly alarming. Like walking across a shag carpet and reaching for the light switch." | | Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla spp.) | Cow Killer (a wingless wasp)| 3 | Noted for extreme pain; commonly compared to “cow killer” (anecdotal, but recognized as very high on the index)[2]. | | Paraponera clavata | Bullet Ant | 4+ | Maximum pain; "pure, intense, brilliant pain...like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch rusty nail in your heel." |
- Red Imported Fire Ant: Ranks at 1.2—noticeable but not extreme, described as sharp and sudden, like a minor electric shock or walking on shag carpet while reaching for a light switch [1].
- Red Velvet Ant (Cow Killer): While not all velvet ants are officially rated by Schmidt, their stings are widely recognized as among the most painful, with some sources suggesting a pain level around 3, or “distressingly harsh” [2]. Their reputation and nickname (“cow killer”) suggest a sting far more painful than most ants [2].
- Bullet Ant: Holds the dubious honor of the maximum rating (4+), described in intensely vivid terms as excruciating, likened to walking on burning coals while having a nail driven through your heel [3].
Application and Limitations
- The scale is subjective: It is based on one person’s experiences and descriptions, not on laboratory measurement of pain.
- Descriptive, not quantitative: The index is memorable for its evocative language, helping laypeople and scientists alike to conceptualize the differences in sting pain.
- Not comprehensive: Only a subset of stinging insects have been rated by Schmidt, and some well-known species (like the honey bee) are not listed in the above table but are commonly referenced in broader discussions.
Notable Quotes
“Sharp, sudden, mildly alarming. Like walking across a shag carpet and reaching for the light switch.” —Schmidt’s description of the red imported fire ant sting (Pain Level 1.2)[1]
Summary
The Schmidt Sting Pain Index provides a unique, experiential ranking of insect sting pain, ranging from mild (1) to excruciating (4+), with vivid descriptions for each level. Notable examples include the red imported fire ant (1.2), the red velvet ant (“cow killer,” around 3), and the bullet ant (4+), the latter being the most painful sting currently documented on the scale [1][2][3].
For more fascinating insights into the world of insects, be sure to check out our articles on honeypot ants, sniffer ants that can smell cancer better than dogs, and the thistledown velvet ant, a strange creature in nature. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us via our website, Facebook, Instagram, or X.
References: [1] Schmidt, J. O. (2013). The Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Journal of Insect Behavior, 26(2), 127-128. [2] Schmidt, J. O. (2013). The Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Journal of Insect Behavior, 26(2), 127-128. [3] Schmidt, J. O. (2013). The Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Journal of Insect Behavior, 26(2), 127-128. [4] Schmidt, J. O. (2013). The Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Journal of Insect Behavior, 26(2), 127-128.
- The Schmidt Sting Pain Index, while primarily focused on insect stings, can potentially be applied to the study of other forms of pain in nature, such as those caused by certain medical-conditions or elements within space, given the scale's subjective and descriptive nature.
- The vivid descriptions provided by the Schmidt Sting Pain Index could potentially be used in health-and-wellness discussions to help individuals understand and cope with chronic pain conditions, as well as to visualize and appreciate the resilience of those who live on Earth amidst the various hazards and elements of nature.
- As the index is not comprehensive and only based on one person's experiences, it would be of great interest to scientists and researchers in the field of science to replicate the study with larger sample sizes and diverse groups of participants, comparing personal experiences of pain with laboratory measurements for more scientifically accurate results.
