> A honey bee colony has the potential to be immortal -- replacing its queen every year or so.
The only research I know on colony lifespan is that done by Seeley, and in Upstate NY. Survival may be greater in more favorable climates. He states:
> Established colonies have a mean lifespan of 5–6 years and most (87%) have a queen turnover each summer.
Seeley, T.D. Life-history traits of wild honey bee colonies living in forests around Ithaca, NY, USA. Apidologie 48, 743–754 (2017).
PLB
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