Bees have fascinanting senses and perceptions of color that influence their behavior in nature. Understanding what colors bees are attracted to or repelled by can help inform decisions in agriculture, floriculture, and urban planning.
Quick Answers
Bees cannot see the color red. They have photoreceptors for ultraviolet, blue, and green light, but none for red wavelengths. However, bees can still perceive red flowers due to a mix of wavelengths. Bees are particularly attracted to blue, purple, violet, and yellow flowers due to nectar guides that reflect UV light. Bees avoid pure black flowers, but will visit flowers with dark spots or patterns. Overall, bees are more attracted to flower shape, scent, and nectar availability than color.
The Bee Color Spectrum
Humans see light using three types of color photoreceptors in our eyes that detect red, blue, and green wavelengths of light. Bees, however, do not have a red photoreceptor. Rather, bees have photoreceptors sensitive to ultraviolet (UV), blue, and green wavelengths of light.
The UV photoreceptor allows bees to see in the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans cannot perceive. Flowers frequently have nectar guides, visible patterns that act as landing strips and signposts pointing to the nectar and pollen. These nectar guides reflect UV light, attracting bees to land on the appropriate part of the flower.
Since bees do not have red photoreceptors, pure red flowers actually appear black to bees. However, very few flowers are purely one wavelength of light. Most flowers reflect a combination of wavelengths. Even though bees cannot see red light directly, they can perceive it as part of a mixed wavelength. So bees are still capable of perceiving red flowers, even though they do not see pure red.
Flower Colors Bees Are Attracted To
While bees cannot see red, they have strong color preferences for other flower colors in the visible spectrum:
- Blue – Bees have excellent color vision to detect blue flowers.
- Purple – Bees see purple as a distinct mix of blue and ultraviolet.
- Violet – The UV nectar guides on violet flowers strongly attract bees.
- Yellow – Bees readily find the pollen on yellow flowers.
- Orange – Bees can recognize the separate red and yellow wavelengths.
- White – The high reflectance of white flowers attracts bees.
In general, bee vision perceives blue, violet, purple, and yellow flowers very well. Bees can also identify patterns of pigmentation, such as spots and streaks on multicolored flowers.
| Flower Color | Bee Preference |
|---|---|
| Blue | High |
| Purple | High |
| Violet | High |
| Yellow | High |
| Orange | Medium |
| Red | Low (appear black) |
| Green | Medium |
Flower Colors Bees Avoid
Some flower colors are actually repellent to bees. Flowers that appear dark brown or black to bee vision are avoided, including:
- Pure black flowers – appear void of color and nectar to bees
- Red flowers – invisible red wavelength appears black
- Dark brown flowers – muted and dull color to bees
- Dark Burgundy flowers – mixed wavelengths appear very dark
However, bees remain attracted to flowers that have spots, streaks, or patterns using black, brown, or burgundy. Solid blocks of these dark colors discourage bee visitation, but dots and flecks still provide recognizable nectar guides.
Flower Shape and Scent Matter Too
A flower’s color is just one of many traits that attract pollinators. Bees also identify flowers based on shape, patterns, fragrance, and nectar availability. Some examples:
- Tubular flowers – attract hummingbirds over bees
- Bell-shaped flowers – optimal for bee pollination
- Strong fragrance – draws bees from a distance
- Nectar guides – UV patterns guide bees to nectar
- Abundant nectar – bees quickly learn and return to nectar-rich flowers
Bees have excellent memories and can associate a particular flower shape, scent, or nectar location with a food reward. Even more than color, bees forage based on learned floral cues that indicate abundant nectar or pollen.
Practical Applications
Understanding bee color perception and preferences can inform practical decisions in agriculture, gardening, and urban planning:
- Increasing crop yields – Planting bee-attracting flowers around crops boosts pollination. Blue, purple, yellow, and white flowers are optimal.
- Garden planning – Add a mix of bee-friendly flower colors and shapes. Use dots and flecks of dark colors, not solid blocks.
- Urban greening – Choose flowering trees, shrubs, and plants that appeal to bee senses. Avoid purely red or black ornamental flowers.
- Research – Developing flower colors, scents, and guides optimized for bee vision can improve experimental studies.
- Conservation – Supporting native wildflower habitats with diverse bee-friendly colors aids threatened pollinator populations.
Conclusion
Bees have a unique sensory experience of flower colors based on their ultraviolet, blue, and green photoreceptors. While bees cannot see the color red, they have excellent vision to detect blue, violet, purple, and yellow flowers. Bees avoid black and dark brown flowers, but will visit flowers with small dark spots or patterns. Flower shape, fragrance, and nectar availability also play key roles in attracting bee pollinators. Considering bee color and sensory preferences can benefit gardens, agriculture, land management, and conservation efforts to support healthy bee populations.