The longest living ant in the world, based on recorded data, is the queen of the ant species Lasius niger (also known as the black garden ant). A queen of this species lived for 28¾ years in captivity.
While worker ants generally live for a much shorter duration, the queen's lifespan is significantly extended due to her role in reproduction and the colony's survival. The longevity of queen ants contributes to the stability and long-term success of ant colonies.
Here's a breakdown of factors influencing ant lifespan:
- Species: Different ant species have different lifespans. Some species are naturally longer-lived than others.
- Caste: Within a single ant colony, different castes (queen, worker, soldier) have vastly different lifespans. Queens typically live the longest.
- Environment: Environmental factors such as food availability, temperature, and the presence of predators can affect an ant's lifespan.
- Captivity vs. Wild: Lifespans can vary between ants in captivity and those in the wild due to differences in resource availability and environmental pressures. The cited Lasius niger queen lived in captivity.
In summary, while many ant species exist with varying lifespans for queens, the Lasius niger queen holds the record for the longest documented adult life.
