How Old Can Wasps Live?
WouterDepending on the species, the average lifespan of a wasp is between four and six weeks. Some wasps live longer, but many die because they are eaten by predators. Wasps are sometimes thought of as scary insects, but they are actually very beneficial to the environment. They are good at killing garden pests and help with pollination. They can be found in woods, hedgerows, parks, and meadows.
Wasps have a complicated life cycle. Each species builds its own home, tailored to its needs. They go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The length of each stage depends on the species.
Eggs hatch into larvae, which live for about three weeks. The larvae develop into a cocoon, then pupate into an adult wasp. The cocoon protects the larvae from parasites. The larvae then feed on insects and carrion. They are then fed by workers.
A queen wasp will lay eggs during the summer. The eggs will develop into fertile male and female wasps. The female wasp will then build a nest. The male wasp will deposit sperm into the queen. After mating, the queen will die.
The queen wasp lives for up to a year. The worker wasps have a much shorter lifespan, about 12 to 22 days. These wasps help to build the nest and feed the larvae. The worker wasps also defend the nest from attackers. They gather food for the larvae and return it to the colony.
