How Long Do Worker Ants Live?
WouterDepending on the species and conditions, ants can live from a few weeks to several decades. Various factors affect the lifespan of ants, including species, gender, and social structure.
For example, the black garden ant queen can live up to 15 years in good conditions. Workers can live up to seven years in some colonies, while male soldiers may only live for a few months. The average lifespan of ants is also affected by the species and the colony’s needs.
Other species may live for a few months or a few years. The ant life cycle is similar to that of spiders. Adults emerge from pupae, and are fully developed within a month or two. Some species, such as fire ants, may only live for two to three months.
The length of a worker’s lifespan is influenced by the colony’s size, diet, and other factors. In some cases, workers may sacrifice their lives for the colony. This includes foraging for food, building a nest, or defending the nest. It may also be the case that worker ants die because they are poisoned by pesticides.
Some species, such as the Lasius niger, have a shorter lifespan. Other species, such as the carpenter ant, may live up to 10 months or more.
The lifespan of an ant also depends on its caste. Most species have only one queen, but others may have multiple queens. The queens have the most control over the colony’s lifespan.
