Can bees see through glass? Like in an observation hive?

[jackstephensons]

I've always been fascinated with observation hives. I've read that bees change there behavior when watched and I was wondering if they could tell they were being watched when you look at them through glass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[divemaster1963]

I don't have a observation hive but I would think  that any change in behavior is most likely to be due to the light factor than seeing out of the hive.
John

[jackstephensons]

I don't have a observation hive but I would think  that any change in behavior is most likely to be due to the light factor than seeing out of the hive.
John

I'm talking about them being uncomfortable around intruders/predators.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BeeMaster2]

I have had my observation hive for 5 years now. When I remove a cover, for the most part, the bees do not react. If the entrance is blocked, the bees start running up the glass. If it is orientation time they will do the same because they cannot move out of the entrance fast enough. Same thing happens if you have reducers on a regular hive and you open it during orientation. They boil out of the top instead of the small hole at the bottom.
The queens are different. Some queens do not pay attention to opening the covers. The one I have in there right now is a laying machine but we have only seen her maybe 5 times since she hatched in April but the hive is full of brood, from top to bottom, 8 medium frames plus another 6" of drone comb below the bottom frames.
Jim

[Michael Bush]

They can see through glass, yes, but their perceptions are more complex than just seeing.  Mostly they smell and feel the air with their antennae and the hairs on their body.

[Acebird]

Transmission of light through clear glass is between 80-90% for 300-2500nm.  Yes they can see and it probably affect them about as much as it does if there isn't any glass except they don't know why they can't get out no matter how hard they try.  I don't think they have the same problem with a screen and yet I have never seen an observation hive that uses screening instead of glass.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.shimadzu.com/an/industry/ceramicsmetalsmining/qn50420000001krz-img/qn504200000029hz.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.shimadzu.com/an/industry/ceramicsmetalsmining/chem0501005.htm&h=320&w=500&tbnid=PJr5I9fCfrhtwM:&tbnh=137&tbnw=213&docid=X4x_1PVtZ3ezQM&usg=__Uc29tiDtIeYuVuQww7vmAVz_UBc=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjgzu-AmZfNAhXB7yYKHRVrCn0Q9QEIIDAA