What is the life span of a bumble bee?

The lifespan of a bumble bee is only a few months, although queens are able to survive for up to a year. Bumble bees are unable to survive cold winter weather, and the stress of their work quickly takes a toll.

Young queen bumble bees begin hibernation in the fall and do not emerge until the warmer weather of spring. After creating a nest and finding sufficient pollen, a queen lays her first brood of between eight and 10 eggs. Newly hatched workers have a lifespan of only a few months, and newly hatched queens are the only bumble bees capable of surviving winter, according to Animal Diversity Web by the University of Michigan.