Like other social insects, hornets have a complex life cycle that includes several distinct stages of development. The lifespan of a hornet can vary depending on the species, sex, and environmental conditions, but there are some general patterns that can be observed.
Queen hornets are the reproductive females of the colony. They are responsible for laying eggs and starting new colonies. The lifespan of a queen hornet can vary depending on the species, but on average, they can live for several years. Some species of hornets have been known to have queen lifespans of up to 10 years.
Worker hornets are sterile females that are responsible for building and maintaining the nest, caring for the young, and foraging for food. The lifespan of a worker hornet can vary depending on the species and the time of year, but on average, they live for several weeks to a few months. Workers that emerge earlier in the season tend to have longer lifespans than those that emerge later.
Male hornets, also known as drones, are the reproductive males of the colony. Their sole purpose is to mate with the queen. Once they have done so, they die shortly afterwards. Male hornets typically live for only a few weeks.