If a scorpion feels threatened, it will raise its tail and thrust it forward over its body to sting its attacker. Though venomous, that sting is rarely deadly but is definitely very painful. The power of the scorpion, then, is in the literal ability to inflict intense pain. Combined with that literal ability is also the psychological fear of being stung. This power Christ Jesus gives to these locusts is later circumscribed with the word torment
(Revelation 9:5).
3 Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.