How long does a worker bee typically live during winter?

A worker bee typically lives about 4-5 months during winter. This extended lifespan is primarily due to the physiological changes that occur when bees prepare for winter. Unlike summer worker bees, which have a shorter lifespan of just a few weeks, winter bees develop thicker body fat and adapt their metabolism to conserve energy. They also cluster together in the hive to maintain warmth, allowing them to survive the cold months.

During winter, the hive enters a rest period where the queen's egg-laying slows down, and the overall activity levels decrease significantly. This means that the worker bees are focused on maintaining the hive's temperature and protecting it rather than foraging and caring for brood, as they would in the warmer months. Thus, the longer lifespan of 4-5 months during winter is crucial for the sustainability of the colony until spring when foraging and brood rearing can resume effectively.