HOW DO INSECT POLLINATORS DISCRIMINATE COLORS?

ABSTRACT

Basic concepts of color vision in animals and, in particular in the honeybee, are reviewed. Four models of color discrimination in honeybees are presented. Because visual systems in Hymenoptera are similar to that of the honeybee, such models can also be used to describe color discrimination in many hymenopteran pollinators. We compare predictive capacities of the models and give practical recommendations for their usage. Although models have different mathematical formulations, in most cases they give similar predictions. Examples where predictions of different models deviate are discussed.