I can vouch for the painfulness of a Pogo sting. It got me just above the sock line, and it stung quite badly for about an hour. The pain subsided, but then more than 24 hours later, it developed into a large, dark mottled red welt (something like a bruise) about the size of a silver dollar with a dark red spot in the center and with a deep, painful and persistent itch. That lasted about 2 days. Now, 5 days later, it's a barely noticeable pink blotch the size of a quarter with a tiny red scab in the center. Fun stuff!

Sting intensity varies from species to species and also the individual stung. Richard, the species you have near your home is one of the most potent Pogonomyrmex species out there and your sting reaction is quite typical for it. Ouch is right.

Thanks Richard, that is a new one for me.