The bumble bee has two compound eyes and three “simple” eyes known as ocelli. Simple doesn’t mean low functioning or lame as the young people would say. We humans have two “simple” eyes and zero compound eyes. Which is way lamer.
Since no one has actually been a bumble bee – well except maybe the odd Buddhist or two – we really don’t know why both kinds of eyeballs. I am going with the theory that says the ocelli are used in flight control and/or navigation.
Bumblebees are not the only insect with both compound and simple eyeballs. Their little bee brains have to keep a lot of stuff sorted out! My compliments to Mother Nature.
Having a little fireworks watching party tomorrow. A friend is doing the food and drinks. All I am doing is the view. Hope the weather goddess is on the job. For the last two years the fireworks were lost in the fog/smoke/clouds.
