BITE STING INDEX
The Bite Sting Index used by Brave Wilderness ranks insect and arachnid bites and stings to compare them on three in-depth factors which are averaged into a final BSI score or ranking. This is the first time insects and arachnids have been rated on the same index.
Intimidation
Pain
Intimidation ranks how menacing or dangerous the insect or arachnids looks before any interaction occurs. It considers various features such as size, coloration, and defensive adaptations like stingers, fangs, or venom sacs. The more fearsome or aggressive an insect or animal appears, the higher its intimidation score. Creatures with bright warning colors, large pincers, or visibly dangerous characteristics like sharp spines generally rank higher. Psychological factors also play a role here—how alarming or unsettling the encounter is from a visual standpoint, even before any physical contact happens, can greatly affect the outcome of the pain.
Pain ranks the immediate intensity of the pain from the bite or sting. It captures the raw, physical sensations of sharpness, burning, throbbing, or other discomforts experienced when the bite or sting occurs. Some stings may feel like a sudden, intense shock of electric pain, while others could involve a slower, more searing burn that escalates over time. The pain factor focuses on how overwhelming or debilitating the pain is in that moment—how much it disrupts movement, concentration, breathing, and other immediate reactions to the injury.
Aftermath
Aftermath ranks how long the symptoms of the bite or sting persist and the nature of those symptoms. This includes the duration and intensity of pain, swelling, itching, numbness, or inflammation that continues after the initial encounter. Some bites or stings cause symptoms that last for hours or days, such as persistent swelling, tissue damage, or allergic reactions. Others might leave behind venom that causes secondary issues, such as muscle cramps, fever, or systemic effects. The aftermath rating also includes how challenging recovery is—whether it requires medical attention, the potential for infection, and how long the area remains sore or uncomfortable after the event. A higher rating in this category indicates the longer and more arduous the recovery process.
(Brave Wilderness BSI)
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BSI SCORE
9.9
INTIMIDATION
9.8
PAIN
AFTERMATH
10
9.8
NOTE:
"It was like being struck by a lighting bolt of pain that made me jump into the air and my whole hand shocked into numbness in a matter of seconds."
BSI SCORE
9.6
INTIMIDATION
10
PAIN
AFTERMATH
8.8
10
NOTE:
"This is the most terrifying creature I have ever encountered and it's bite backs that up!"
BSI SCORE
9.1
INTIMIDATION
8.6
PAIN
AFTERMATH
9.9
8.8
NOTE:
"This ant's sting is legendary, and it's widely considered to be the most painful insect sting on the planet."
BSI SCORE
9.0
INTIMIDATION
9.9
PAIN
AFTERMATH
8.5
8.6
NOTE:
"For aftermath, the swelling was severe. My arm ballooned up and the redness extended from my wrist all the way down to my elbow."
BSI SCORE
9.0
INTIMIDATION
7.8
PAIN
AFTERMATH
9.6
9.5
NOTE:
"Its burn just kept going and going day after day and week after week, and the rash would come back with a vengeance"
BSI SCORE
8.5
INTIMIDATION
9
PAIN
AFTERMATH
8.5
8
NOTE:
"The most venomous ocean worm. Each fang was painful on its own, so getting bitten by all four hurt a lot!"
BSI SCORE
8.5
INTIMIDATION
9.8
PAIN
AFTERMATH
8.8
6.9
NOTE:
"This is the first documented sting, that we know of, of this species, so I had no idea of what to expect."
BSI SCORE
8.3
INTIMIDATION
7.5
PAIN
AFTERMATH
9.1
8.3
NOTE:
"The sting burned and itched for days, and caused swelling so severe that it covered my entire forearm and down to my elbow."
BSI SCORE
8.2
INTIMIDATION
8.5
PAIN
AFTERMATH
8.0
8.1
NOTE:
"It's easily twice as large as your average hornet. And they almost warn you not to touch them with that bright yellow banding."
BSI SCORE
8.0
INTIMIDATION
7.5
PAIN
AFTERMATH
8.5
8.0
NOTE:
"Their sting is said to be so horrible, that it's painful enough to kill a cow."
BSI SCORE
7.7
INTIMIDATION
7.2
PAIN
AFTERMATH
8.1
7.1
NOTE:
"It bit and stung me multiple times and would refuse to let go even when I tried to pull it off."
BSI SCORE
7.7
INTIMIDATION
7.8
PAIN
AFTERMATH
7.3
8.1
NOTE:
"The pop of searing sting was quickly followed by intense burning and welts. It was very much like a hot poker that went in without warning."
BSI SCORE
7.5
INTIMIDATION
7.0
PAIN
AFTERMATH
7.5
7.9
NOTE:
"The Warrior Wasp looks downright menacing. Its impressive size and appearance screams 'don't mess with me, I pack a punch'."
BSI SCORE
7.5
INTIMIDATION
9.2
PAIN
AFTERMATH
4.7
8.7
NOTE:
"This fish is no joke and if you step on one, you would very likely be going to the hospital."
BSI SCORE
7.4
INTIMIDATION
7.1
PAIN
AFTERMATH
7.4
7.8
NOTE:
"The Japanese Paper Wasp packs a serious punch! This is not an insect you want to encounter."
BSI SCORE
6.8
INTIMIDATION
7.5
PAIN
AFTERMATH
3.5
9.5
NOTE:
"I have yet to encounter another insect of this size with this powerful of a bite."
BSI SCORE
5.9
INTIMIDATION
7.3
PAIN
AFTERMATH
5.7
4.7
NOTE:
"The potter wasp had a ninja like appearance that was seriously intimidating but it's sting wasn't to bad."
BSI SCORE
5.6
INTIMIDATION
9.2
PAIN
AFTERMATH
2.3
5.3
NOTE:
The world's largest ant by weight has a surprisingly weak bite!"
BSI SCORE
5.3
INTIMIDATION
5.0
PAIN
AFTERMATH
4.5
6.5
NOTE:
"It has the fastest bite of any animal on the planet."
BSI SCORE
4.3
INTIMIDATION
8.0
PAIN
AFTERMATH
3.0
4.0
NOTE:
"I had to pull the stinger out. It was stuck under my skin, and I got sprayed by venom."
BSI SCORE
2.7
INTIMIDATION
3.5
PAIN
AFTERMATH
2.5
2.0
NOTE:
"It's not that bad, and it's actually hard to think of a less painful sting I've ever taken. As soon as the pain started to build, it abruptly ended."
