THE SCHMIDT INSECT STING PAIN INDEX

The Schmidt Pain Index was developed by Dr. Justin Schmidt, an entomologist, as a method for comparing the pain of various different insect stings he experienced during
his work. The scale runs from 1 to 4, with four being the most painful. Pain can be subjective, varying from person to person, and this scale is therefore not absolute.

Key Pain: Type:

APPROXIMATE
1 2 3 4 Bee WASP HORNET ANT SIZE
DURATION

SOUTHERN FIRE ANT DIGGER BEE TROPICAL FIRE ANT BALD FACED
MEXICAN HONEY ASIATIC HONEY BEE
5 mins WASP 2 mins SONORAN BUMBLE BEE 5 mins
HORNET
5 mins
4 mins 10 mins
5 mins

FOUR-TOOTHED
BULLET ANT
MEXICAN TWIG ANT MASON WASP
5 mins SUNFLOWER WASP
0-1 mins

HAIRY PANTHER ANT

PAPER WASP BULLDOG ANT
5 mins
300 mins
5 mins 5-10 mins
10 mins

MOST SMALL BEES ASIAN GIANT RED PAPER WASP

2 mins HORNET 5-10 mins
TARANTULA HAWK
RED FIRE ANT 10 mins WESTERN HONEY BEE METRICUS PAPER
GIANT HUNTING ANT WASP
5 mins
NORTHERN PAPER 10 mins 0-1 mins
5 mins
WASP 10 mins
5 mins

WESTERN PAPER
WASP VELVET ANT
2 mins TRAPJAW ANT
0-10 mins YELLOW JACKET GIANT HONEY BEE
30 mins WARRIOR WASP
WHITE FACED BEE ECITON ARMY ANT
2 mins 5 mins 10 mins 10 mins 150 mins

Note: circles sizes relate to duration, but are for purposes of comparison only, and are not to scale. All durations are an average, and as with pain, are subject to variation.

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