Bees Have Five Eyes — Here’s How Their Vision Works

Some animals have 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 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 on the top center of the bee’s head. Calling them simple eyes is a bit 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 (the visible light spectrum). In contrast, bees can detect part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from 300 to 650 nanometers. That means bees can see ultraviolet light. Researchers believe that flowers have evolved UV patterns on their petals to attract 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 hairs are linked to the role of honeybees as pollinators. These strands help the insects collect more pollen because pollen can cling to the tips of the hairs. This means a bee can brush its hairy appendages across its eyes and remove pollen, clearing its vision in the process.