as well as 连词使用方法疑问

These winter bees have fatter abdomens compared to summer bees, as well as a longer lifespan.

1) 这里，compared to 可以换用compared with 吗？

2) as well as 是连词吗？为何后面只有一个名词短语a longer lifespan？

3) as well as a longer lifespan可以放置句首吗？上句怎么样应该正确翻译呢？

These winter bees have fatter abdomens , as well as a longer lifespan.

1) 这里，compared to 可以换用compared with 吗？

——可以。意思不变。

2) as well as 是连词吗？为何后面只有一个名词短语a longer lifespan？

—— as well as 是连词，跟 and 差不多。去掉括号里成分，一看便知：have 有两个并列的宾语 fatter abdomens as well as （与）a longer lifespan.

3) as well as a longer lifespan 可以放置句首吗？上句怎么样应该正确翻译呢？

—— 一般不放句首。compared to summer bees 可以放句首。

【翻译】与夏天蜜蜂相比，冬天蜜蜂的腹部更前凸后翘，寿命更长。