There are several factors, from species to an ant's caste within a colony, that affect how long an ant lives. The largest determining factor is the ant caste, or specific role, an ant plays within the colony.
An ant's caste is determined by a combination of genetics from the queen and care provided by worker ants who feed the developing larvae. The queen contributes through selective fertilization while workers ensure larvae receive the right nutrients to become the caste needed for colony survival.
Longest-Living Ant
The oldest known ant queen lived over 28 years. Queen ants can survive for several decades depending on species, while worker lifespans vary dramatically from weeks to years.
In This Article:
Quick Facts
Queens: Up to 28+ years
Workers: Weeks to 7 years
Drones: 1-2 days after mating
Development: 1-2 months
