Obituary | The King of Sting

Justin Schmidt made a lifetime study of insects that attack us

The intrepid entomologist, stung hundreds of times, died on February 18th, aged 75

Justin Schmidt
Image: Robert Clark

To be stung by a wasp, an ant or a bee raises—beyond the “Ow!”—immediate questions. How can a creature so tiny inflict such remarkable pain? And why, when all you have done is to make a jam sandwich or dare to eat a peach, does it launch such a vicious and unprovoked attack?

This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “The King of Sting”

From the March 11th 2023 edition

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