What celestial object do bees use for navigation?

Bees use the sun as a primary tool for navigation during their foraging trips. They have a remarkable ability to orient themselves by the position of the sun in the sky, which remains relatively consistent throughout the day. By tracking the sun’s location, bees can determine the direction back to their hive.

Moreover, bees also compensate for the movement of the sun across the sky during the day. This adjustment allows them to maintain accuracy in navigation despite the sun’s changing position. The sun’s brightness and the polarized light patterns in the sky also provide additional cues that help bees orient themselves effectively.

While other celestial objects, like the moon and stars, can play a minimal role in navigation under certain circumstances, the sun is by far the most significant reference point for bees in their foraging activities. The earth, being more of a geographical reference than a navigational guide, does not influence their ability to find their way back to the hive.