Can bees see color?

Bees can see most colors aside from red. Bees sense wavelengths of light between 300 and 650 nanometers, allowing them to see in the ultraviolet spectrum. A human's vision, by comparison, detects wavelengths of light between 390 and 750 nanometers.

A bee's ability to differentiate between light and dark is also well-developed, enabling the insect to better see edges and identify shapes. It is believed that the visual acuity of a bee is helpful in identifying flowers for the purposes of feeding and pollination because its sense of smell is only useful if it is in close proximity to the flower.