The Short Lifespan of Honey Bees
Honeybee collecting pollen
The lifespan of individual honey bees is only a few weeks, with the exception of the queen bee. But colonies can thrive and endure for years under ideal circumstances.
Do you know how long the average honey bee worker lives? Well, there is no single answer. Different variables determine their lifespan - from the moment an egg is laid until adulthood, it takes three weeks and after that, they can live up to five more weeks. Despite this rough estimate, in reality, we observe large differences between each individual bee's life expectancy!
Bees are a universal treat for creatures of all sizes due to their nutrient-rich, petite bodies. Wasps, robber flies, dragonflies and praying mantises hunt adult bees while spiders feast on them in droves. Additionally, small hive beetles and varroa mites threaten even the youngest bee colonies - proving that no matter what stage of life one finds themselves in as a bee; one will always be at risk from predators.
Not only do birds, skunks, mice, lizards, frogs, toads and snakes enjoy feasting on bees for snacks - even my dog loves them! However, these critters are only the beginning of a bee's troubles. They must also face withstanding lawnmowers whirring past at full speed; dodging cars speeding by; coping with pesticides polluting their environment; braving torrential downpours and powerful gusts of wind from unpredictable weather patterns; as well as avoiding flyswatters that threaten to cause fatal damage. It is truly miraculous that they manage to survive amidst such adversity.
For a worker bee, their first flight might be their last if they are snatched up by a predator. Nevertheless, some brave individuals manage to beat the odds, and despite missing wings and nearly hairless bodies these bees live much longer than expected - sometimes far beyond what is average for this species. The resilience of these long-lived bees can't help but inspire us all!
Drones: They're a bit like firecrackers, exploding with an intense spark followed by their swift departure. On average, drones that don't mate are estimated to live around 55 days - but it's rare for them to find companionship and thus this doesn't play many parts in the average lifespan of drones.
Without any form of sustenance outside of their nest, virgin drones, unfortunately, face death by two main causes; fratricide from other bees or simple exposure and starvation due to being kicked out at the end of summertime.
Queens exist in a different realm of life. In days gone by, they survived for up to five years, however as time has moved forward their lifespan is now barely reaching two years. Many potential explanations revolve around exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, hereditary blights, the presence of parasites and nutrition deficiency. Moreover, workers will sometimes perform matricide if the queen does not abide by their ideals which includes failing to lay eggs or displaying low hormone levels; when this occurs they replace her with a new one without hesitation.
Summer Workers: A bee's career path is determined by its specific role. As they age, bees move between positions in a process called temporal polyethism - with roles becoming increasingly hazardous as the bee evolves through the cycle. These jobs may include cleaning, nursing or comb building which occurs within the safety of their hive environment and away from any external dangers. Later positions, such as foraging and guarding, can be incredibly hazardous. Foragers face the greatest danger - essentially like flying a fighter jet in a war-like scenario - with attacks from all angles: up, down and sideways! As a result of their perilous duties during summer months, these workers only tend to live between 15 and 38 days on average. It's no wonder that life is an ongoing rollercoaster of risk when it comes to beekeeping!
The riskiest job available - much like piloting a fighter jet in an active warzone - is a pollinator bee foraging. Physically demanding and constantly surrounded by danger, the average lifespan of these summer workers is just 15-38 days due to their overwhelming treacherous environment. Attacks come from virtually all directions: above, below, and even along their sides!
Winter bees, commonly known as "winter workers" have the privilege of living a much more comfortable life. As they shelter themselves within the hive and store fat in their bodies, these diligent creatures are devoted to tending to others and keeping the colony at an appropriate temperature. On average, winter workers live up to 200 days or even nine months!
Though bees typically live only a few weeks, their colonies can persist for years due to the queen bee's capacity to lay up to 2000 eggs each day. This may appear contradictory, yet Mother Nature deems it simpler and more enduring to maintain multiple short-lived specimens than one long-living organism.
