What is the typical lifespan of worker bees during summer?

The typical lifespan of worker bees during summer is indeed about six weeks. This limited lifespan is primarily due to the demanding nature of their roles. Worker bees are responsible for various tasks such as foraging for food, caring for the queen and brood, maintaining the hive, and defending against intruders. As they engage in these high-energy activities, they experience significant wear and tear, leading to a shorter life expectancy compared to other classes of bees.

The foraging activities, especially during the peak of summer when flowers are abundant, can be particularly exhausting, which is why most summer worker bees do not live beyond six weeks. The environmental conditions and the intense labor contribute significantly to their reduced lifespan during this period.

In contrast, other options suggest significantly longer lifespans that do not align with the biological and ecological realities of worker bees during the energetic summer months. For instance, the lifespan of worker bees is not typically three weeks, as they usually survive longer in the summer due to abundant resources, nor is it three months or one year, as these durations are more characteristic of winter bees or the queen's lifespan, which are adapted for different functions and environmental conditions.