How Good Can Wasps See?
WouterCompared with humans, how good can wasps see? The answer depends on the species of wasp and the surrounding environment. A wasp’s vision is limited, but it can still see in low light. It also relies on visual cues for navigation.
Scientists have been studying how ground wasps navigate to and from their nests. They found that they use “learning loops” to navigate home, mimicking patterns that were set during previous learning cycles. They also have a high-acuity zone, which is equipped with larger diameter lenses. These lenses collect more light, which gives the wasp a sharper image.
But a new study from researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, is revealing that some wasps actually have better vision. Their eyes are simple, but they still provide excellent range and high resolution.
Wasps have compound eyes, which are composed of thousands of smaller lenses that combine to form one image. They also have an outer lens that focuses light onto the sensory cells inside the eye. This allows the wasp to detect motion. It also provides excellent color vision.
In addition to their compound eyes, wasps have three simple eyes. These eyes help the wasps detect light and dark, but they lack elaborate retinas. These simple eyes allow the insects to see light more effectively, but they also make it difficult for the wasp to see in the dark.
Scientists also discovered that paper wasps have compound or faceted eyes. The compound eyes have thousands of telescope-like omatidia that focus light on the sensory cells inside the eye. The lenses provide excellent range and high resolution, but they don’t provide as good clarity as the simple eyes of humans.
