Did you know honey bees do not see the color red. They do not have a photoreceptor for that color. If you are planting flowers to attract honey bees, remember they only see 6 colors – all within the ultraviolet range to include yellow (though not well) – blues – violets – and greens range. Most can also see white.

So how do bees find nectar in red flowers. The flower itself often has a road map imprinted on the petals that is invisible to humans. This map can be seen in ultraviolet light that bees can see.