How Long Do Queen Wasps Live?
WouterDepending on the species, the lifespan of a wasp is usually short. The average lifespan is 4 to 6 weeks, but some species can live as long as six months. The lifespan of queen wasps, however, is considerably longer. The queen lives for a year and is responsible for the reproduction of the wasp colony.
Queen wasps lay eggs, which hatch into young wasps. These larvae feed on protein-rich insect food. The adult wasps nurture these larvae until they become adults, and then continue building the nest. In spring, the adult wasps also collect nectar from flowers and use it to feed the larvae.
All wasps go through a metamorphosis. The wasp pupa is born white and becomes dark and tan. Its exoskeleton becomes re-edible, and it regurgitates insect food and exoskeletons. Eventually, it develops into a fertile male and female.
Wasps can live for four to six weeks if they have sufficient food, water, and shelter. However, if their food sources are exhausted, they will die. They prefer to live in warm temperatures. The temperature of the environment can affect the wasp’s metabolism, causing them to shift into a more energy-intensive mode. During winter, the wasps hibernate in deep crevasses and cracks. They only come out when the weather gets warmer.
When the weather is warm, the wasp queen starts laying eggs in the cells of the nest. The queen and the adult workers feed the larvae, and the larvae grow rapidly. The queen also searches for food for the larvae. The larvae grow quickly because they feed on protein-rich insect food. The eggs hatch into a young wasp, and the larvae develop into a fertile male and female.
