How Bees See the World

Video

Summary

This video explores the fascinating world of bee vision, explaining how bees perceive their environment differently from humans. Bees have compound eyes that see in ultraviolet light, allowing them to detect patterns on flowers that are invisible to humans. This specialized vision helps them locate nectar and pollen efficiently.

Key Points

• Bees have compound eyes with thousands of tiny lenses (ommatidia)
• Bees can see in the ultraviolet spectrum, unlike humans
• Flowers have evolved “landing strips” and patterns visible only in UV light
• Bees cannot see the color red but can see blue, green, and ultraviolet
• The bee’s ability to see polarized light helps with navigation
• Bee vision is optimized for detecting movement and finding flowers

References

• YouTube: How Bees See the World
• Von Frisch, K. (1967). The Dance Language and Orientation of Bees.
• Chittka, L. & Thomson, J.D. (2001). Cognitive Ecology of Pollination.

Further Reading

For more information on insect vision and pollination, check out these resources:

• PBS Nature: How Bees See
• Scientific American: Bees & UV Vision

• Bees
• Vision
• Biology