Polarisation vision in ants, bees and wasps

Abstract

We review here what is known from behavioural, anatomical and physiological studies about polarisation sensitivity in the hymenopteran insect groups of ants, wasps and bees. We briefly summarise the behavioural evidence for the use of polarised skylight in orientation and navigation, including some lesser known or less accessible older work, and then review our state of knowledge of the polarisation sensitivity and the arrangement of photoreceptors in compound eyes and in ocelli. We note in particular how little we know about the role of ocelli in polarisation vision.