During which season do worker bees typically have the shortest lifespan?

Worker bees typically have the shortest lifespan during the summer season due to a number of factors that include high activity levels, environmental stressors, and the intensity of their foraging efforts. During summer, worker bees are involved in many demanding tasks such as foraging for food, caring for the queen and brood, and defending the hive, which results in physical exhaustion. Additionally, increased exposure to predators, diseases, and harsh weather can take a toll on their health and longevity.

In contrast, during winter, the colder temperatures limit their activity, meaning that bees generally conserve energy and reduce their foraging activities, leading to a longer lifespan as they cluster together for warmth. In spring, as the hive begins to expand and the demand for foraging increases, worker bees face some risks, but they still typically enjoy a longer life compared to summer workers. Fall can also be a time where worker bees begin to die off as the hive prepares for winter, but many of them will live longer than the more actively engaged summer bees. Thus, summer, with its peak demands and risks, results in the shortest lifespan for worker bees.