Bumblebee Eyes: Facts and Identification

The bumblebee eyes have a smooth surface, and the interommatidial hairs that are found in honeybees are not produced in bumblebees. In this article, you will learn the various facts about bumblebee eyes and how to identify them.

 

Facts About Bumblebee Eyes

Facts gathered from Researchgate prove that bumblebees have two pairs of apposition compound eyes, one on each side of their head. In addition, they have three small ocelli with single lenses located on the front of their head capsule.

Each ommatidium has a diameter of approximately 26 micrometers and is capped with a hexagonal facet. In the center of each ommatidium is a columnar light-perceiving structure called the rhabdom that is 3 micrometers wide.

Rhabdoms are made up of thousands of microvilli that look like fingers and are aligned in a regular pattern. The microvilli’s membranes carry the photopigment molecules.

The information on each ommatidium’s photic surroundings is transmitted by axons to the visual centers of the brain, which is where behavioral responses may begin.

Bumblebees can distinguish between various flower forms and sizes by using ommatidial acceptance angles of at least 3 degrees.

Nevertheless, it appears that they primarily use their capacity to detect polarized light for navigational purposes.

The fast-flying bumblebee can avoid collisions with objects thanks to a flicker fusion frequency of about 110 Hz.

The microscopic ocelli are extremely sensitive to UV radiation as well as green wavelengths, and they appear to function similarly to a photometer in that they detect changes in the amount of light present.

However, in contrast to the complex eyes of the bumblebee, the ocelli would not be capable of creating an image that would be of any utility.

 

Read also: Can Bumblebees Fly In the Rain?

 

How to Identify Bumblebee Eyes

Although bees are relatively little creatures, their eyes are spherical, smooth, and glassy; nonetheless, they are capable of picking up thousands of minute details.

They have a single, consistent color for their eyes, as opposed to human pupils which come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

When looked at more carefully, one may see that bees have smaller lenses within their larger eyes than other insects do.

The majority of the bees have dark-colored eyes. Additionally, the lenses that make up the compound eyes will have a dark appearance, giving the impression that they are glossy and smooth.

When looking closely, one might observe that the lenses are occasionally divided from one another by a light brown or dark brown line. These are the most frequent hues found in the eyes of bees.

Nevertheless, some species of bees can have eyes of stunning colors, such as blue, yellow, silver, or a pale green color. It is recommended that when studying bees, particular attention be paid to the bees’ eyes.

This is one of the methods that can be used to assist in determining the species of bee. Certain honey bees have undergone a mutation that causes them to have yellow eyes, however, these bees are rare.

 

Picture of Bumblebee Eyes

 

How Many Eyes Does Bumblebee Have?

The total number of bumblebee eyes is five. It has three ocelli, often known as eyespots, in the middle of its head in addition to the two enormous eyes that are located on either side of its head.

These eyes enable them to observe a wide range of details, including colors, forms, and sizes. They should not be neglected because their importance to the bumblebees’ continued existence cannot be overstated.

 

Read also: Bumblebees vs Honey Bees; Facts, Differences, and Comparison

 

Why Does Bumblebee Have Five Eyes?

Bumblebee eyes can detect objects from a variety of angles because of the two eyes that are located on the sides of their heads.

However, the fact that bumblebees have five eyes rather than three is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this trait.

The top three eyes, which are located in the center of the bumblebee’s head enable the bee to perceive things differently.

The middle eyes of the bumblebee are specifically designed to detect UV markers that are released by the flowers. These provide a safe landing and allow them to collect the nectar they require.

 

Read also: Bumblebee Bat: Facts, Identification & Behavior

 

What Are Bumblebee Eyes Called?

There are two distinct categories of bumblebee eyes called Ocelli. It means “eyespot” or “simple eyes”, it is the name given to these creatures’ three smaller eyes, which aid in the detection of ultraviolet light.

Additionally, ocelli can assist bees in effectively navigating their environment and finding their way around.

Compound eyes are the two larger eyes that are located on the sides of the head of the bee. These eyes hold several lenses so that the bee may see through them.

 

Read also: Do Bees Have Knees?

 

What Exactly is the Function of the Ocelli?

The ocelli, which are sometimes referred to as “simple eyes,” each have a single lens in their structure. Although their function is not as well understood as that of the bee’s compound eyes.

The ocelli are placed in a triangular pattern and assist the bee in detecting sunlight and the overall intensity of the surrounding light. Additionally, they aid in the bee’s ability to navigate while in flight.

 

Read also: Do Bees Have Teeth?

 

Are the Ocelli of Some Bees Larger Than Those of Others?

There are a variety of different bee species, and not all of them have eyes of the same size as honeybees or bumblebees.

The answer to this question will be determined by the time of night during which they work the most. Some types of bees are most busy in the early morning and late afternoon.

Because they forage during this time of the day, their ocelli will naturally be larger than those of other bees, which will allow them to see more clearly than those bees.

This is especially likely to occur in extremely hot environments, such as the desert, when a bee may choose to forage for pollen and honey at night rather than during the day.

Evening primroses are just one of the many types of flowers that bloom consistently at night.

 

What Species of Bumblebees Have Compound Eyes?

The bumblebee has two larger eyes on its head, both of which are immensely interesting to study. Although at first glance they appear to be two enormous, plastic-like eyeballs, closer inspection reveals that they are composed of several tiny lenses.

These lenses help the bee see a larger item or picture by piecing together information from different perspectives. Multiple lenses work together to provide a broad image that the bee can look through.

Bees need to possess these eyes because they enable them to identify whether there are any potential threats in their environment when they are foraging for nectar.

 

What Exactly is a Facet?

The bumblebee eye is known as a compound eye because it contains several lenses. These lenses are known as facets, and they assist in the collection of specific information that contributes to the development of a comprehensive picture.

Each lens and aspect plays an important part in assisting the bee in obtaining the information it needs to successfully navigate its way through the maze of flowers and trees.

 

Difference Between Ocelli and Compound Eyes

The size of each bumblebee’s eyes is one of the key characteristics that set it apart from those of other insects.

The compound eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads and are much larger than the simple eyes. In contrast, the ocelli, also known as simple eyes, are situated in the exact center of the organism.

Ocelli, which are located in the middle of the bee’s head, only contain one unit of the eye, also known as one lens.

On the other hand, compound eyes feature several facets, which assist produce a more comprehensive image.

Extremely distinct tasks are required of each one: one enables the bumblebee to see the shapes of an object, while the other eyes search for the UV light emitted by each flower and the sun to determine which direction to fly in.

 

Conclusion

The compound eye of a bumblebee, much like the compound eyes of most other insects, is made up of a huge number of discrete hexagonal units called ommatidia.

Having known the key facts about bumblebee eyes and how to identify them, we believe this article was helpful. Do well to share your view on bumblebee eyes in the comment section below.

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