Drones, referring to male bees, typically live for about eight weeks.
Drone Lifespan Explained
The lifespan of a drone bee is relatively short and dictated by its role within the hive. Here's a breakdown:
- Typical Lifespan: According to our reference material, drones usually live for approximately eight weeks.
- Role and Care: During their lives, worker bees fulfill all the drones' needs.
- End of Life: In the fall, worker bees expel the drones from the hive because maintaining them throughout the winter requires excessive effort and resources. This expulsion effectively ends the drones' lives.
Factors Influencing Drone Lifespan
While eight weeks is the typical lifespan, some factors can influence it:
- Availability of Resources: If the hive is struggling for resources, drones might be expelled earlier.
- Mating Success: A drone's primary purpose is to mate with a queen. If it successfully mates, it dies immediately afterward.
- Health: Illness or injury could shorten a drone's life.
