Multispectral images of flowers reveal the adaptive significance of using long-wavelength-sensitive receptors for edge detection in bees

• DOI: 10.1007/s00359-017-1156-x
• Publication Date: 2017-03-17T05:28:03Z
• Authors: Vera Vasas; Daniel Hanley; Peter G. Kevan; Lars Chittka
• Keywords: Trichromacy

Many pollinating insects acquire their entire nutrition from visiting flowers, and they must therefore be efficient both at detecting flowers recognizing familiar rewarding flower types. A crucial first step in recognition is the identification of edges segmentation visual field into areas that belong together. Honeybees bumblebees information through three types photoreceptors; however, only use a single receptor type-the one sensitive to longer wavelengths-for edge detection movement detection. Here, we show these long-wavelength receptors (peak sensitivity ~544 nm, i.e., green) provide most consistent signals response natural objects. Using our multispectral image database flowering plants, found responses had, depending on specific scenario, up four times higher signal-to-noise ratios than short- medium-wavelength receptors. The reliability emerges an intricate interaction between coloration bee's system. This finding highlights adaptive significance bees using locate among leaves, before provided by all distinguish species trichromatic color vision.