How Do Bees See and How Many Eyes Do They Have?

Bees are among the most remarkable insects in the world—not only for their essential role in pollen collection and pollination, but also for their extraordinary visual capabilities. But have you ever wondered how bees see? In this article, you’ll discover how the bee's visual system works, how many eyes a bee has, what they are used for, and how this affects their daily behavior.

How Many Eyes Do Bees Have?

Let’s start with a little-known fact: how many eyes do bees have? Bees have five eyes, and their placement on the head is crucial to how they perceive their surroundings.

Two of these are large compound eyes located on the sides of the head. They are made up of thousands of optical units called ommatidia and allow bees to distinguish shapes, detect motion, and perceive colors.

The other three are simple eyes, also known as ocelli. These are located on the top of the head and are sensitive to light and movement. They don’t provide detailed images but help bees orient themselves based on polarized sunlight, even under cloudy conditions.

Bee Eyes: Structure

The structure of bee eyes is remarkably complex. Compound eyes are designed for short-range vision and rapid motion detection—essential traits for avoiding predators or obstacles during flight. The ommatidia act like pixels that together form a fragmented but highly sensitive image.

Additionally, the visual field of bees is nearly complete: thanks to the placement of their eyes on the sides of the head, they can see almost everything around them, except for a small area behind them.

What a Bee Is Made Of

To better understand how their visual system works, it’s useful to know how a bee is structured. A bee is divided into three main parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. On the head, we find the eyes, antennae, and mouthparts, which are essential for feeding and communication.

The mouth includes a special structure called the bee's ligula, a long and flexible tongue used to suck nectar and pollen from flowers. The hind leg is equipped for collecting pollen, with baskets known as corbiculae.

Bees Can See Ultraviolet Light

One of the most surprising aspects of bee vision is their ability to see polarized and ultraviolet light. While humans can only see part of the visible spectrum (red, green, and blue), bees see blue, green, and ultraviolet.

This enables them to distinguish floral patterns that indicate the presence of nectar and pollen—patterns invisible to the human eye. This is how forager bees select the most resource-rich flowers.

Information About the Queen Bee and Other Bees

In the world of bees, every colony member has a specific role. The queen bee is the only fertile individual, and her job is to lay eggs. The actual workforce of the hive is made up of worker bees, who perform various tasks depending on their age: from cleaning the hive and producing royal jelly to defending the colony.

When they reach maturity, workers become forager bees, specialized in collecting pollen and nectar. These bees fully utilize their visual system to navigate through flower-filled landscapes and return to the hive with supplies.

The Use of Eyes in Daily Life

Bee eyes aren’t just for finding food. They play a key role in communication too. Foragers, for example, use the waggle dance to tell other bees the location of a food source. This navigation system requires precise perception of polarized light, which acts almost like a natural compass.

Moreover, having eyes on the sides of the head helps bees monitor their environment during flight. They can be alerted by the slightest movement—an ability that makes them highly responsive in dangerous situations.

Differences Between Humans and Bees

When comparing human vision to that of bees, the differences are striking. While we see clearly in a narrow portion of the spectrum, bees see less clearly but over a much wider visual field. Thanks to polarized light, they can navigate with great precision even when the sun is hidden.

Even though they cannot see red, their ability to detect ultraviolet light makes up for it. Flowers have evolved to emit visual signals in this wavelength, making the bees’ work easier.

Why Is This Information Important?

Knowing in detail how bees are made, how many eyes they have, and how they see is important not just to satisfy scientific curiosity, but also to understand the importance of their conservation.

Without bees, entire ecosystems would collapse. Their efficiency in collecting pollen and pollinating ensures the survival of thousands of plant species and supports balanced food production.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bees are extraordinary creatures, equipped with a unique vision adapted to their complex lifestyle. They possess five eyes—two compound and three simple—that can perceive polarized and ultraviolet light, crucial tools for their survival and for the health of our planet.

We at Apicoltura Laterza are always committed to protecting and valuing these incredible creatures, promoting respectful, sustainable beekeeping that supports biodiversity.