Bees are common pollinators, and many commercially grown crops that we eat depend on bee pollination. Bees’ eyesight allows them to be such successful pollinators. They have two sets of eyes. At the top of their heads, bees have three smaller eyes (called ocelli) that help them discern light intensity, maintain stability, and navigate. They also have two large compound eyes that detect movement. Bees can see ultraviolet (UV) light with their ocelli. Thus, vibrant ultraviolet colors and patterns in flower petals are visible to bees but invisible to us. These pigments often direct the bee to specific parts of the flower (e.g., the flower’s center). Additionally, their remarkable eyesight allows them to visualize objects at high speeds. For example, while you might see a blur of color if you quickly drove past a meadow, a bee could easily visualize individual flowers in the meadow without reducing its flight speed.

Question

Bees are common pollinators, and many commercially grown crops that we eat depend on bee pollination. Bees’ eyesight allows them to be such successful pollinators. They have two sets of eyes. At the top of their heads, bees have three smaller eyes (called ocelli) that help them discern light intensity, maintain stability, and navigate. They also have two large compound eyes that detect movement. Bees can see ultraviolet (UV) light with their ocelli. Thus, vibrant ultraviolet colors and patterns in flower petals are visible to bees but invisible to us. These pigments often direct the bee to specific parts of the flower (e.g., the flower’s center). Additionally, their remarkable eyesight allows them to visualize objects at high speeds. For example, while you might see a blur of color if you quickly drove past a meadow, a bee could easily visualize individual flowers in the meadow without reducing its flight speed.

Given this information, consider why these characteristics may have evolved in the bee. In three sentences, describe these factors:

how one of these characteristics would benefit the bee
how one of these characteristics would benefit the flower or crop

(4 points)

Answer 1

- The bees' ability to see ultraviolet light with their ocelli allows them to easily spot vibrant ultraviolet colors and patterns in flower petals, directing them to specific parts of the flower for efficient pollination. This characteristic benefits the bee by increasing their foraging efficiency and ultimately contributes to their survival.

- On the other hand, this ability to see ultraviolet light in flowers benefits the flower or crop by attracting bees to specific parts of the plant for pollination. By guiding bees to the center of the flower, for example, the plant ensures effective pollination and increases the chances of successful reproduction and seed dispersal.