Bees navigate their world using their senses, and color plays a significant role in their daily activities, particularly when seeking flowers. Their visual system allows them to see patterns and shades invisible to the human eye, guiding them to essential resources.
The Unique World of Bee Vision
Bees possess a visual system that differs from human sight. They have two large compound eyes, each composed of thousands of tiny hexagonal lenses called facets, which combine to create a mosaic-like image of their surroundings. Three smaller simple eyes, known as ocelli, are located on top of their heads, primarily helping them detect light intensity and maintain orientation during flight.
Unlike humans, who have photoreceptors sensitive to red, green, and blue light, bees exhibit trichromatic vision based on ultraviolet (UV), blue, and green light. While they cannot perceive red, their ability to see UV light opens up a spectrum invisible to us. Many flowers display intricate UV patterns, often called “nectar guides,” which act as visual signals, directing bees toward nectar and pollen sources within the bloom. Bees also process color vision five times faster than humans, allowing them to distinguish individual flowers rapidly.
Colors That Attract Bees
Bees are most strongly attracted to specific colors that signal nectar and pollen. Scientific studies indicate that violet, blue, and purple are particularly appealing to them. These colors often correspond to flowers that offer high volumes of nectar, making them good foraging targets. This preference is linked to their visual sensitivity, as bees have photoreceptor activity in the blue and UV parts of the spectrum.
Beyond visible colors, UV patterns on flowers are significant. These patterns, unseen by humans, appear as bullseyes or landing strips, guiding bees directly to the reproductive parts of the flower where pollen and nectar are located. Some flowers, despite their human-perceived color, produce a “blue halo” effect through nanoscale structures on their petals, enhancing blue and UV wavelengths that attract bees. While bees see green, they often perceive it as a duller shade or blue-green, making it less attractive than blues and purples.
Colors Bees Ignore or See Differently
A notable difference in bee vision is their inability to see the color red. For a bee, red appears as black or a very dark gray because they lack the specific photoreceptor for red light. This explains why naturally red flowers are typically pollinated by other creatures, such as birds, rather than bees. However, some red flowers might still attract bees if they also reflect significant amounts of ultraviolet light, which bees can perceive.
Green, while within their visible spectrum, is not a primary attractant. Bees can see green, but their perception often translates it into a bluish-green or a less vibrant shade compared to how humans see it. This means green foliage does not draw a bee’s attention like a brightly colored bloom. Darker colors, including black, can also be associated with predators, leading bees to avoid such hues.
Applying Bee Color Preferences
Understanding bee color preferences can be useful for various applications, especially in gardening. Planting flowers in shades of blue, purple, and violet attracts more bees and supports pollinator populations. Examples include lavender, salvia, and borage, which attract bees. White and yellow flowers also draw bees, often due to their reflective properties or UV patterns.
For individuals wishing to minimize bee interaction, avoiding bright floral patterns and dark colors like black, dark blue, or purple can be helpful. Light, smooth colors such as white, light brown, or beige are generally less noticeable to bees. Beekeepers often use light-colored suits for this reason, as these hues are not appealing to bees and help keep them calm. While color is one factor, bees also rely on scent and landmarks for navigation, so an integrated approach is effective.