Exploring Honey Bee Vision
Did you know that honey bees have five eyes? These five eyes—two large compound eyes and three small ocelli (pronounced OH-sell-ee)—give bees an impressive 280-degree field of vision, far surpassing our 180-degree view.
The Compound Eyes: A Mosaic of the World
The two large compound eyes are located on either side of the bee’s head, each containing approximately 6,900 facets. Each facet is a tiny, hexagonal lens that captures a small portion of the bee’s visual field. The bee’s brain then processes and combines these thousands of images into a mosaic-like picture, allowing the bee to perceive the world around her with remarkable detail. These compound eyes are particularly adept at detecting colors and shades, making them crucial for the bee’s survival.
The Ocelli: Navigating Through Light
In addition to their compound eyes, honey bees have three small ocelli positioned in a triangle at the top of their head. Unlike the compound eyes, ocelli are single lenses that help bees detect light intensity. This ability is vital for navigation, helping bees orient themselves as they fly through their environment.
Trichromatic Vision: Seeing the World in a Different Light
Interestingly, bees, like humans, have trichromatic vision, which means their eyes contain three types of photoreceptors. However, while humans have photoreceptors for blue, green, and red, honey bees have photoreceptors for blue, green, and ultraviolet light. This difference means bees cannot see the color red, but they have the unique ability to perceive ultraviolet light.
The Ultraviolet Advantage: Finding Nectar with Precision
The ability to see ultraviolet light gives honey bees a significant advantage when it comes to locating nectar. Many flowers have evolved to display ultraviolet patterns, known as nectar guides, which act like a ‘bullseye,’ directing bees to the nectar. This mutual relationship benefits both the bee, in its search for food, and the flower, in achieving pollination. Flowers like sunflowers, primroses, and pansies are known for their ultraviolet nectar guides, making them particularly attractive to bees. This ultraviolet vision allows bees to quickly spot the right flowers, even when flying through a field full of similar-looking blooms.
See the World Through a Bee’s Eyes
Curious to see what flowers look like from a honey bee’s perspective? Head over to our Instagram @northernrootsbeeco where we’ve posted some fascinating photos that show how bees see the world.