Bullet Ant

Paraponera clavata

Growing up to 1.2 inches long, these large ants are famous for having the most painful sting of any insect in the world. The venom can cause temporary local paralysis, shaking, or swelling that persists over 24 hours. It is not deadly to humans. Bullet ants are native and exlclusive to Central and South America, including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, and Brazil and often live in rainforests where they build underground nests and forage in the tree canopy for nectar and small insects.

Recorded lineage

kingdomAnimaliaphylumArthropodaclassInsectaorderHymenopterafamilyFormicidaegenusParaponeraspeciesParaponera clavata

Observed

May 17, 2026

Location

Rurrenabaque, Bolivia