[bangbang]

 
I got stung by an insect today (6hours ago)- first time in 30 years - it was large and black in colour
and OH said it made me jump and scream like a little girl. My thumb and surrounding muscle
are swollen and sore to move. So I would like any help in identifying Gods little sadist so
I can track him down...... Yes it still does hurt.
It was to big to be a bee or wasp, and no sting in the wound,
I'm sure I'll get over my traumatic experience, but I,d still like to know
What stings like this in scotland!
I've hit myself with a hammer before (not deliberately) and it didn't bother me this much!

[plumseverywhere]

Was it a horsefly? They hurt like hell when they bite 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse-fly

[Moleskins]

Was it a horsefly? They hurt like hell when they bite 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse-fly

I can vouch for that !

[Lesley Silvester]

They sure can.  On Arran we had a type of horse fly, known as Cleggs, which hung around the deer.  Vicious little brutes.  Bit late now, but if you take an antihistamine as soon as you are bitten, you shouldn't have any swelling or infection.

[Fowgill Farm]

I'm allergic to horsefly bites, i swell up and come out in hives all over my body, the first time it happened it was terrifying and i ended up in A&E. I now have presecription antihistimines called telfast on hand to take the minute i get nipped, they are very good.
mandy

[Fleecewife]

If it was too big to be a bee or wasp, and was black then it's not a clegg - disgusting things 
 
I can't think what it would be though.

[Anke]

If it was too big to be a bee or wasp, and was black then it's not a clegg - disgusting things 
 
I can't think what it would be though.

A GM horsefly?

[Lesley Silvester]

FF, that's how I found out about antihistamines.  I came up in a huge lump and the doctor prescribed them.

[tizaala]

woodwasp http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.uksafari.com/jpeg2/woodwsp2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.uksafari.com/woodwasp.htm&h=287&w=400&sz=38&tbnid=w5toZY_bE5Q2sM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=125&zoom=1&usg=__oB1ErR_HR1_uGW2w0NbhNex8lCs=&docid=Lvk-wiChNDsFoM&sa=X&ei=AzwyUOCOIubE0QX8_YHwDA&ved=0CHsQ9QEwBA&dur=5016
 
Ichneumon fly http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/insect-images/images/8_3%2520Ichneumon%2520wasp_jpg.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/landscape/insects.htm&h=480&w=640&sz=58&tbnid=Emn7qNV7qAyVtM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=129&zoom=1&usg=__FSKD-_6VdYi7Kst_6WIfWaxJn2c=&docid=B91YJSDYjxjxOM&sa=X&ei=jjsyUJCbGoqH0AXrhIHgDA&ved=0CG8Q9QEwBQ&dur=656
 
Hornet https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hornet+pictures&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=vD0yUOXQGsjB0QWenIHoDA&ved=0CEsQsAQ

[Fleecewife]

I didn't think wood wasps and ichneumans sting, but it could certainly have been a black hornet - they sting like 8u&&£3y .  One got me 43 years ago and I haven't forgotten that yet 

[NormandyMary]

I had a HUGE hornet fly into the bedroom the other night. I was scared witless, cos little Henry decided to try and catch it. I managed to spray it and it fell to the ground but boy was it big!!!
Im scared of anything that buzzes when it flies. I actually found a wasps nest in the frame of our velux window the other day, It must have been built when we weren't working on the room and it was all quiet.
 

[bangbang]

Thanks everyone!

I think fleecewife has nailed it 
I typed it in google images, and yes I'm sure thats the damned devil....

Still swollen, still stings, and sypathy's thin.....oh well just
got to get on with it.....I'll have a pint, medicinal purposes only of course..

cheers all!

[lill]

Any sting is always sore , but a least emense satisfaction when the little buggers get squashed in the pocess

[Lesley Silvester]

Bangbang, if it doesn't get better very soon, you may need antibiotics.  It sounds like it could be infected.