From queens ruling their colonies for decades to beetles that can survive for years in harsh environments, the insect kingdom has its fair share of longevity champions. (Source: Freepik)
When we think of insects, we often imagine tiny creatures with fleeting lives — fluttering butterflies, buzzing flies, or short-lived mayflies that vanish in a day. But not all insects are destined for such brief existences. In fact, some members of the insect world live surprisingly long lives, rivaling or even outlasting certain mammals and birds.
From queens ruling their colonies for decades to beetles that can survive for years in harsh environments, the insect kingdom has its fair share of longevity champions. Here are five fascinating insects known for their exceptional lifespans.
Termite queens form an essential part of the colony by sustaining them. They lay over 30,000 eggs a day, and without them, the colony would not survive. Termite queens hold the title of the longest living insects with a lifespan of over 50 years. That is 500 times more than the males and 10 times longer than worker termites.
Cicadas are often known as ‘true bugs’ with distinctive and often deafening singing, especially by males who produce high-pitched, buzzing or clicking sounds. Periodic cicadas, the ones that appear once every few years, can live for 17 years.
Splendour beetles, also known as jewel beetles, are a group of beetles that are known for their vivid, metallic, and iridescent colours. (Source: Freepik)
Queen ants play an important role in a colony. They are adult female ants that sustain all the other ants. Their primary function is to lay eggs, and in many species, she can live for years or even decades, making her one of the longest-living insects in the world. The lifespan of a queen can extend up to 30 years, spending that time growing her colony to include thousands of ants.
Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders that play a vital role in their ecosystems as predators of insects and small animals. Although they may seem dangerous to humans, these creepy crawlies are usually shy and slow-moving creatures. Tarantulas have surprisingly long lifespans: females can live 15 to 30 years, while males typically live 3 to 7 years.
Splendour beetles, also known as jewel beetles, are a group of beetles that are known for their vivid, metallic, and iridescent colours. They are found across the world, and thrive in warm and forested areas. After a female lays eggs, it is reported that extraordinarily long larval stages, sometimes spanning up to 30 years when conditions (like food availability or temperature) are not favourable.
