Ant lifespans vary widely depending on their species, caste (role in the colony), and environmental factors. Lifespan by Caste:
- Queen ants live the longest, often several years to decades. Some queens can live up to 15 years or more, with records of queens living over 20 to 30 years in certain species
- Worker ants typically live from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. For example, odorous house ant workers live a few months, black garden ant workers can live up to 7 years, and fire ant workers live only about 5 weeks
- Male ants (drones) have the shortest lifespan, usually only a few days to a couple of weeks, as they die shortly after mating
Species Differences:
- Black garden ant queens can live up to 15 years or more, while their workers live several years.
- Carpenter ant workers can live up to 7 years.
- Pharaoh ant workers live about 70 days.
- Fire ant queens live 2 to 6 years, but workers only 1 to 6 months
Other Factors Influencing Lifespan:
- Availability and quality of food affect worker lifespan, as workers often sacrifice their own well-being to support the colony
- Environmental conditions, predation, and shelter also impact longevity.
- In laboratory conditions, ants may live longer due to controlled environments
In summary, ant lifespans range from days (males) to several decades (queens), with workers living from weeks to years depending on species and conditions. The queen’s longevity is crucial for colony survival
