Also a punishment in Dante's Inferno. This punishment is given to the Inefficient or Indifferent, who are not technically in Hell, but are still being punished.
These miscreants, who never were alive,
Were naked, and were stung exceedingly
By gadflies and by hornets that were there.
These did their faces irrigate with Blood,
Which, with their tears commingled, at their feet
By the disgusting worms was gathered up.
-- Inferno - Canto III
As far as how this relates to clearpebbles' problem, I couldn't even begin to guess. But it does give a new definition to hell on earth...