Spotting of Tarantula Hawk, the insect with the second most painful sting in the world, reported in Dayton
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Thu, 07/25/2019 - 1:03pm
According to a Dayton State Parks spokesperson, a Tarantula Hawk, an insect with the second most painful sting on earth, was spotted near Rock Point Mill.
“Tarantula hawks are large wasps that prey on tarantulas,” they said. “This one was spotted near the Rock Point Mill in a patch of Narrowleaf Milkweed. These predators’ sting (incredibly painful to humans) paralyzes tarantulas, which adult females hunt as food for their larvae.”
Last year, sightings were being reported around Northern Nevada, but none so close as Dayton.
While the Tarantula Hawks rarely go after humans, people are stung usually after not being aware of their surroundings and either stepping on one or putting their hand down on top of them, causing the sting.
Dr. Justin Schmidt who created the Schmidt sting pain index said, “A sting feels like a lightning bolt struck the spot; the pain is beyond imagination. Fortunately, it lasts only about two to three minutes. It rates a four on the pain scale and is unsurpassed in intensity by any other stinging insect.”
He says the pain of the Tarantula Hawk sting is beaten only by the sting from a bullet ant, because that pain lasts between 12-24 hours.
Be aware of your surrounds and especially the surroundings of curious pets while out on nature hikes.
