Which Insect Has Five Eyes? Are you surprised to learn that any insect could have five eyes? Yes, it’s true! There is an insect that has five eyes. Generally, humans and many mammals have two eyes, and most insects have compound eyes. This means that the structure of their eyes could be quite different. In sci-fi movies, we often see alien creatures with multiple eyes on their heads. But this isn’t fiction; it’s real life here on Earth, where we find an insect with five eyes. It might surprise you to know that this insect plays an essential role in our environment and that, without it, life on Earth would be very different.
The insect with five eyes is none other than the bee. Bees have a pair of compound eyes like many other insects, and in addition to these, they have three more eyes in the middle of their head.
Five Eyes of the Bee
You may already know that bees have five eyes. We’re all familiar with the two large compound eyes on the sides of their heads. However, apart from these, bees have three different eyes called ocelli, located on top of their heads.
The function of the compound eyes is similar to that of other living beings, allowing them to see objects in front of them. Through these compound eyes, bees can see nearly everything around them. However, the three ocelli eyes serve a different purpose. These three additional eyes detect light but don’t form images. Bees are even capable of detecting ultraviolet light, which helps them spot predators approaching from above.
The Importance of Honey Bees in Our Environment
Honey bees play a critical role in our ecosystem and are vital for the pollination of flowers. In the process of pollination, pollen from the male part of a flower sticks to the bee’s feet. When the bee moves to another flower, this pollen is transferred to the female part of the new flower, successfully facilitating pollination.