A most interesting form of punishment, but a bit dangerous. Even people who aren't allergic to bee stings can react violently if exposed to many of them.

Living in the woods, I get my fair share of insect bites. Flies, deerflies, horseflies (those hurt like hell and actually draw blood), bees, wasps, hornets, chiggers, mosquitoes, spiders, no-see-ums (biting gnats), ants. You name it, I've been stung or bitten by it. (No poisonous ones though, thank goodness.)
I am not afraid of insects, but I overreact to insect bites and stings, getting large welts even with mosquitos bites, so I would look awful by the end of such a session.

I think ants may be fairly safe to use as long as they are not fire ants. The bites are painful but not extremely so (bee and wasp stings are very painful), and most seem to leave no poison and consequently no significant swelling.
But again,I would be cautious, use only one to begin with and wait a day to see if there is an allergic reaction.