The lifespan of a wasp depends on its caste (worker, drone, queen) and species. Here's a breakdown:
* **Worker wasp:** These busy builders and foragers typically live a short life, lasting anywhere from **12 to 22 days** on average.
* **Drone wasp:** The male wasp's sole purpose is mating with the queen. Their lifespan isn't much longer than workers, and they die shortly after mating.
* **Queen wasp:** As the colony's egg-layer, the queen wasp has the longest lifespan. Depending on the species, a queen wasp can live for up to **one year**. This ensures the colony's survival throughout the season.