The bullet ant is a species found in Central and South America, recognized for having the most painful sting in the world, causing victims intense pain and even temporary paralysis despite being only 2.5 cm in size.
Bullet ant (Paraponera clavata) – sometimes referred to as 24-hour ant or conga ant – measures just over an inch (about 3 cm) in length, but its sting can inflict an extraordinarily high level of pain. Those unfortunate enough to be stung by this tiny rainforest creature say that the pain it causes is unlike anything else on Earth.
However, despite all the pain this small ant can inflict, its venom has certain medical benefits. Moreover, an indigenous group in Brazil, originating from the Amazonas state, often uses the venom of this ant in an important ritual for their new warriors.
Paraponera clavata originates from the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
Why is the bullet ant’s sting considered a nightmare in the rainforest?
According to ThoughtCo, when fully grown, the bullet ant measures only 1.2 inches long. Like many other insects, it survives on nectar and small arthropods. This ant also has a very short lifespan, typically not living more than 90 days.
On the surface, the bullet ant does not appear overly intimidating. But there is a reason it can be called a “little monster.” Anyone who has experienced a sting from this creature describes the pain as something they have never felt before.
According to Culture Trip, entomologist Dr. Justin Schmidt once described the bullet ant’s sting as “pure, intense pain. Like walking barefoot on sizzling hot coals with a nail embedded in your heel.”
The pain from the sting of this ant is extremely intense.
In fact, the pain from this ant’s sting is so intense that it exceeds the highest level, 4, on the pain scale developed by entomologist Schmidt for insect stings. For a clearer comparison, the sting of a honeybee only scores a two on this scale.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities due to bullet ant venom. Furthermore, the pain from their sting typically subsides naturally within 24 hours – hence the nickname “24-hour ant” given by Venezuelans – and this creature does not become aggressive unless provoked.
Medical Significance
It is not surprising that various venoms are employed in different medicinal treatments, and the venom from the bullet ant is no exception.
In a 2001 scientific article published in Protein Spotlight, Vivienne Baillie Gerritsen noted that bullet ant venom has been used by indigenous Amazonians for centuries to treat rheumatism.
Bullet ant venom is used to treat rheumatism.
In 1968, a German man named Gunter Holzmann, living and working in the Bolivian Amazon, discovered this indigenous remedy to alleviate his arthritis. Indeed, the venom of ants has historically been used in Eastern medicine due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, venom from various ant species has been used in India to improve eyesight, in Morocco to reduce fatigue, and in Australia to treat headaches.
Subsequently, several cultures have incorporated bullet ant stings as part of their coming-of-age ceremonies.
The Grueling Ritual of the Sateré-Mawé Warriors
Sateré-Mawé, an indigenous Amazonian group living in Brazil today, is not only known for cultivating guaraná (a plant used to produce beverages like soft drinks and energy drinks) but also for using bullet ant venom in initiation rituals for young boys reaching adulthood.
According to Smithsonian, tribal members first soak the bullet ants in a natural sedative, rendering them unconscious. These ants are then attached to gloves made of leaf material.
Sateré-Mawé warriors use bullet ant venom for the coming-of-age ritual of young men in the tribe.
During their coming-of-age ceremony, the 12-year-old boys of the tribe must wear these gloves. What follows is that once the ants awaken, they become agitated and continuously sting the boys’ hands for the next ten minutes.
Muscle spasms, disorientation, and even hallucinations can occur afterward for these boys. However, young Sateré-Mawé warriors do not undergo this painful ritual just once. They must endure this ceremony 20 times before being considered adults.
According to the tribal chief, the purpose of the ritual is to show the boys that no one can mature “without suffering or without any effort.”
However, unless you are a member of the Sateré-Mawé tribe, experts advise staying away from bullet ants at all costs. If you happen to encounter one in the wild, do not provoke it or disturb its natural habitat. If you do get stung, rest assured that the pain will subside within 24 hours. But it will certainly be the most painful 24 hours of your life.
