Scientist @IMBatUQ using sting chemistry to study pain physiology. National Geographic Explorer @insidenatgeo. Sting opinions (and photos) my own.
Brisbane, Queensland
Joined October 2020
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What’s the worst sting? Is a scorpion, centipede or wasp sting different to a bee’s? Do those even sting?
In this account I share my experiences with the world’s stinging wildlife. I describe the sting in the style of my late friend and collaborator Dr Justin Schmidt* 1/2
Ornamented scoliid wasp. Phalerimeris phalerata. 16 mm. Asia. A flash of prickly heat fades as the itch takes over. Pain level: 3/10
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Samuel Robinson retweeted
Beware the blue-ringed octopus! There are three official species of blue-ringed octopus in Australia, all of which are extremely venomous. In fact, a single blue-ringed octopus has enough poison inside it to kill 26 humans. 🐙
📺 Evolutionary Wonders
Samuel Robinson retweeted
How do venomous snakes protect themselves from their own venom? 🐍
In PNAS Science Sessions, researchers discuss how these natural defenses could inform the development of new antivenom treatments. Listen now: ow.ly/9Kwy5101oT6
ALT Credit: wikimedia/Patrick Alexander
Tarantula Hawk. Tribe Pepsini [Omkoi, Thailand; ID appreciated]. 38 mm. Asia. Liquid heat – a lava bubble pops and splashes your ankle. Pain level: 6/10
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Whip scorpion. Order Uropygi [Omkoi, Thailand; ID appreciated]. 21 mm. Asia. Unflappable – no sting or spray, not even a nip. Pain level: 0/10
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Asian giant centipede. Scolopendra subspinipes. 120 mm. Asia. Spreading, aching, throbbing pressure, fighting to escape. All-encompassing and overwhelming – your worst sinus infection, on a long-haul flight – when will it end. Pain level: 10/10
Samuel Robinson retweeted
One of my favourite MOTHS!!! 🤯🖤
They mimic a wasp SO well that I always get nervous seeing them still! 😅
European fire ant. Myrmica rubra. 7 mm. Europe. “The prickle of stinging nettles against your skin on a hot, humid day”–Justin Schmidt. Pain level: 2/10
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Square-headed wasp. Ectemnius sp. 17 mm. Asia. Too cool for school – no sting. Pain level: 0/10
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UQ’s PhD scholarship round is now open (closing Aug 31). If you or someone you know is interested in pursuing a PhD in venom-related research at one of Australia’s top research institutes, let me know!
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Black-bellied hornet. Vespa basalis. 24 mm. Asia. Intense and bloody building sharpness – Another memorable nail gun misadventure. Pain level: 7/10
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Asian needle ant. Brachyponera chinensis. 3 mm. Asia. True to name – jabbed repeatedly with tiny needles. Pain level: 2/10
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Bicolor ant. Stictoponera bicolor. 5 mm. Asia. The lights are on but no one's home. No sting. Pain level: 0/10
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Yellow-legged hornet. Vespa velutina. Vespidae. 20 mm. Asia. Instant intense building sharpness that turns bloody – a memorable misadventure with a nail gun. Pain level: 7/10
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Red-footed ant. Pseudoneoponera rufipes. Formicidae. 18 mm. Asia. A little burn leaves a blister – you impatiently tried to sip the foam off your hot chocolate and got the scolding liquid on the tip of your tongue. Pain level: 3/10
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Elephant nettle. Dendrocnide sinuata. 10 m. Asia. Tried out some cheap dentistry, shouldn’t have - starts as a rashy tingle but beware the toothbrush or anything remotely cold for the next week. Pain level: 4/10
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Bee mimic fly [WY, USA; ID appreciated]. 12 mm. North America. Cloak and dagger, but the dagger is plastic. No sting. Pain level: 0/10
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