<i>> Schmidt has published a number of papers on the subject, and claims to have been stung by the majority of stinging Hymenoptera [a large order of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. Over 150,000 living species of Hymenoptera have been described.]</i><p>I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to get stung, on purpose, by a <i>majority</i> (!!!) of stinging sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants out of 150,000+ known species. Talk about willing to make sacrifices for science!
It takes animals a while to figure out that something painful that doesn't cause tissue damage is safe.<p>It's always amazed me that a big draft horse is terrified of an electric fence that gives a tiny zap. (Although when I touched the fence when my feet were underwater I realized it must hurt more if they are better grounded.)<p>The effectiveness of an electric fence is entirely about intimidation and if an animal is motivated to get out it may eventually find a moment of pain is worth a few minutes of freedom.
> Feeling only slight pain, Schmidt has described the sting of a digger bee, categorized into Pain Level 1, as "almost pleasant, a lover just bit your earlobe a little too hard."<p>Amazing
Where do toebiters come in?<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belostomatidae" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belostomatidae</a><p>Apparently they have one of the most “excruciatingly painful” bites. But I guess does that not count as a “sting”?