Bee Eyesight What They Can And Can't See

BEEKEEPERSTIPS.COM

Bees can see color in their compound eyes. Each compound eye is divided into 6900 facets – these form individual small eyes called ommatidia. 

Every ommatidium is equipped with eight light-sensing cells. The cells can detect different colors of light. 

In this article...

Yellow Leaf
Green Leaf
Wavy Line
Squiggly Line

If we unpack this a bit, bees have 6900 facets in each compound eye – that is 13800 facets. 

Do Bees See In Color?

Off-white Section Separator
Yellow Leaf
Off-white Section Separator

What Colors Are Bees Attracted To?

Bees see UV, blue and yellow-green. 

Off-white Section Separator

What Color Can Bees Not See?

Bees can still learn to find nectar in flowers that are more difficult for them to see.

Bees are less likely to be able to see something which has a light white color. 

Why Are Bee Suits  White?

Yellow Leaf
Green Leaf
Wavy Line
Squiggly Line

For a bee, a dark object will be seen as a complete lack of light. 

Why Do Bees Get Angry With Dark Colors?

Off-white Section Separator
Yellow Leaf
Banner With Dots

ADVICE

We know a bit about bee eyesight and know that bees do see in color, and know which colors as well.

BEEKEEPERSTIPS.COM

Yellow Leaf

For more tips and articles, visit: