The bullet ant

ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT

- BY JO CAIRD

YOU’LL KNOW ALL ABOUT IT IF you get stung by a bullet ant (Paraponera clavata), a species named after the fact that the pain from its venom feels as if it has been inflicted by a gunshot. Some insect bites are unpleasant but short-lived experiences – not this one.

The bullet ant is also known as the hormiga veinticuatro, meaning '24-hour ant', across its Spanish-speaking range in Central and South America, which refers to the full day of pain that can follow being stung. One of the largest ant species in the world, the bullet ant also has one of the longest foraging ranges and is fiercely territorial.

How big can it grow?

The bullet ant grows to around 2.5cm long. Its stinger is long compared to its body, measuring up to 3.5mm. Unusually, the queen is not much larger than her worker companions.

What are its physical characteristics?

Aside from its extraordinary size, the bullet ant’s most striking features are its large mandibles, hairy thorax and long stinger. While it has a classic ant silhouette, comprising six legs and a segmented body, its stinger gives it the appearance of a wingless wasp. Its scientific name, clavata, means ‘club-shaped’ and refers to the shape of the insect’s head.

Are they dangerous?

Bullet ants are not aggressive unless defending the nest, but they are reputed to have the most painful sting of any insect. The species has received the dubious honour of being rated at the maximum 4+ on entomologist Justin Schmidt’s renowned Schmidt sting pain index. Rather than a gunshot, however, Schmidt - who recorded his own experience of venomous stings - likened the pain inflicted by the bullet ant to “walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch nail embedded in your heel”.