The life span of honey bees (Apis species) varies based on their caste within the colony.
A queen bee lives the longest, usually between 2 to 5 years if conditions are healthy and she is well-cared for.
Her main role is to lay thousands of eggs daily to ensure the colony’s survival.
Worker bees, which are sterile females, live much shorter lives — about 4 to 6 weeks during peak seasons like spring and summer when they are actively foraging.
However, worker bees that are born in late autumn can survive for several months, since they stay inside the hive during winter.
Drones, or male bees, have the shortest life span — around 6 to 8 weeks — and usually die after mating or are removed from the hive before winter to conserve food.
This caste-based lifespan pattern ensures the colony remains balanced and productive throughout the year.