Some animals have what is known as a third eye, while certain spiders boast a total of eight eyes. But how many do bees have? At first glance, one might think two, given their size! However, first impressions can be misleading. So, how many do they actually have? Bees possess five eyes: two compound eyes and three simple eyes. The two compound eyes are large, brownish-black ovals that occupy most of their tiny heads. These remarkable eyes allow insects to detect movement and color. They are made up of thousands of tiny light-sensitive units called ommatidia. Each ommatidium functions like a separate eye, covered with a cone and lens that help focus light onto photoreceptor cells. These cells convert light into signals that are sent to the brain.
Much smaller eyes are located in a triangular formation at the center of the top of the bee’s head. Although referred to as simple eyes, this is somewhat misleading. Researchers believe that, unlike the two compound eyes, this trio is not crucial for detecting spatial details. Instead, the three additional eyes act as highly sensitive light detectors, helping bees use the sun for navigation.
What do bees see? Bees perceive the world (and flowers in particular) quite differently than humans do. We see light with wavelengths ranging from 380 to 700 nanometers (known as the visible light spectrum). In contrast, bees can detect part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from 300 to 650 nanometers. On the flip side, bees can see ultraviolet light. Researchers believe that flowers have evolved to have UV patterns on their petals to become more attractive to pollinating bees.
Is it true that honeybees have hairy eyes? If you take a closer look at the compound eyes of a honeybee, you’ll notice they are covered in tiny hairs. For humans, having hair on the eyes might seem like something out of a horror movie—or at the very least, incredibly annoying. However, for honeybees, these tiny strands are quite beneficial, as reported by IFLScience. The purpose of these hairs is linked to the role of honeybees as pollinators. These strands help the insects collect more pollen, as they are positioned in such a way that pollen can cling to the tips of the hairs. This means a bee can brush its hairy appendages across its eyes and easily remove pollen, clearing its vision in the process.