Highly venomous bullet ant has world's most painful sting

Bullet ants inhabit the humid forests of equatorial countries throughout Central and South America. They forage in the trees and as high as the forest canopies for insects and plant nectar. These ants are aggressive and highly territorial when protecting their nests. They will attack and do battle with other ant colonies, as well as larger animals that pose a threat to their nests. The ants grow well over an inch long and they are powerful with a painful and venomous sting.

The Schmidt Pain Scale ranks bullet ant stings as 4, the highest possible evaluation, comparing the pain to a bullet wound. The venom causes waves of excruciating pain, nausea, numbness, and respiratory difficulty. The stings are so painful that they have been used in initiation rites for warriors in many South American cultures.

This bullet ant was encountered on a night hike as nature enthusiasts ventured out into the Amazon rainforest in a small village in Ecuador near Sacha Lodge. Guided by Anna, a talented and knowledgeable nature guide, they were shown many creatures that are active at night, including this large specimen that was over an inch in length. The ant had captured an inchworm and was carrying it back to the colony. Despite the fact that this inchworm was a large one, the ant had no trouble carrying it.

Humans who encounter bullet ants are well advised to avoid them at all costs. Their sting can make a large adult very ill and the pain is likely to require medical treatment.

Bullet ants live in colonies of up to 70 ants. They are intelligent and ferocious, and they will actually confront a human who approaches the nests or the base of the trees where they make their nests.

The venom of the bullet ant is currently being studied for possible medical applications. The bullet ant is a good example of the complexity of nature. Animals that can cause us great harm can also lead us to cures for ailments. This illustrates the point that eradicating or harming any plant or animal can ultimately cause us and our planet great harm in ways that we cannot even understand. The balance of nature is a delicate one and we are far from understanding it.