How Long Do Ants Live in an Ant Farm?
WouterDepending on the species, ants can live from several weeks to several years. These insects are sterile females that live in large colonies and serve as workers and soldiers.
The lifespan of ants is determined by several factors. For instance, the ant species, gender, and the colony’s social structure are all factors that determine how long the ant will live.
Queen ants are the longest living ants in an ant colony. They are larger than the workers, so they serve as a defense and protect the colony. In some colonies, the queen can live as long as 30 years. They are also responsible for the health of the colony.
Workers ants are responsible for taking care of the colony’s larvae and foraging for food. Some species of ants live up to seven years. They are eaten by predators and can be poisoned by pesticides.
The lifespan of worker ants depends on the species and its social structure. The black garden ant queen, for instance, can live up to 15 years in good conditions. In contrast, the queens of the Argentine ant species live about 12 years.
Queen ants live the longest in almost all ant species. These ants serve as the main source of eggs for the colony. The eggs hatch into worker ants.
The larval stage of ants is a worm-like shape. The ant pupae is usually lighter in color than the common black ants. It stays in this pupae stage for about a month before it morphs into the normal ant form.
