Menacing Invisible Stinger?

Ellwood City, PA

Twice this year, while working outside, I've been bitten/stung by some invisible, mysterious insect. I am hoping someone here can help me identify what it might be.

The first time, about three weeks ago, I was trimming back my bleeding hearts. My arm brushed up against the plant, and I felt something sting me. It was not as powerful as, say, a bee or a wasp, but it was definitely a stinging sensation, as opposed to a bite.

I didn't see a bug of any kind, so I continued trimming and was, once again, hit by something in my hand. This time, however, I was looking directly AT my hand, snipping a branch, and I STILL didn't see what got me! In both instances, the stinging lasted for about an hour. Both sting/bite sites developed a rash-like spot, about the size of a golf ball.

So this morning, I was outside pruning some elm trees. During clean-up, I picked up a branch, and the leaves brushed my arm. Once again, I felt the stinging sensation and developed a rash. But, once again, I saw NOTHING!

I've been an outside person all of my life. I grew up playing in fields and woods, and I have never had this happen before. In all instances, it happened when I came into contact with leaves.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? I'm thinking that it must be a spider, whose bite feels more like a sting. Hopefully, someone can help me in identifying this mysterious menace!

Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a)

adh123,

This forum is for questions relating to adding data to the BugFiles database.

We have a forum on Garden Pests and Diseases here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/pad/all/
and a forum on Insect and Spider Identification here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/bugid/all/
and if you post your question on either of these, you may get some help,

Kennedy
BugFiles Administrator

Ellwood City, PA

Thank you, I will. So sorry.

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