Seeing the World Through a Bee's Eyes

Can Bees Really See Colour?

The answer is a resounding yes!

But the world a honey bee sees is very different from our own.

Imagine walking through a garden where every flower glows with secret patterns invisible to everyone else.

That is everyday life for a honey bee.

A Different Rainbow

Humans see colours ranging from violet to red.

Honey bees see:

• Ultraviolet

• Blue

• Blue-green

• Green

Interestingly, bees cannot see the colour red as we do.

To them, many red flowers appear dark or grey.

Nature's Hidden Road Signs

Many flowers contain ultraviolet markings that are completely invisible to human eyes.

These hidden patterns act like landing lights on an airport runway.

They guide bees directly to the nectar and pollen waiting inside the flower.

To us, a flower may appear plain.

To a bee, it is covered with glowing arrows saying:

"This way to lunch!"

Built for Pollination

A bee's remarkable eyesight allows her to:

• Locate flowers quickly.

• Recognise familiar feeding sites.

• Navigate across long distances.

• Return safely to her hive.

Combined with an excellent sense of smell, bees become incredibly efficient pollinators.

A World We Never See

One of the most wonderful things about bees is that they remind us our world contains beauty beyond our own senses.

Every flowering plant has evolved alongside pollinators for millions of years.

What appears ordinary to us may be dazzling to a honey bee.

The next time you walk through a colourful garden, remember:

The bees are seeing a masterpiece invisible to human eyes.