Apis mellifera






A Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) dusted with pollen and found in Teton Valley, Idaho. In addition to the large compound eyes, note in the image below, the smaller eyes on top of the head called ocelli. These eyes contain photoreceptor rods and process information related to the wavelength of light, the intensity and likely integral of light, helping the bees to determine dusk which signals them to return to the hive.






Posted: Wed - September 12, 2007 at 04:10 PM          

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