As honeybees (Apis mellifera) brush against the petals of flowers, tiny pollen grains collect on microscopic hairs that sprout from their corneas. Ultraviolet-sensitive eye cells cause honeybees to preferentially seek out blossoms containing pigments that reflect colors on the shorter frequency end of the visible spectrum (such as blue and purple).

Honeybees possess five eyes comprised of two distinct types, simple and compound. The simple eyes detect only light, darkness, and movement and look like three little black beads across the bee's forehead. The helmet-like compound eyes of this fuzzy creature are comprised of thousands of minute, hexagonal facets and resemble a honeycomb. Each facet is a lens that reaches down to the retina. This construction gives the bee a mosaic view of the world that is revealed in a multiplicity of tiny images.

Most honeybee species have relatively long, tube-shaped tongues or a proboscis that can probe deep into the recesses of blooms to lap up nectar. The tongue usually folds under the body when it is not used. Many species of flowers provide landing pads and honey guides for the busy insects. As the bee wriggles into the blossom to reach the precious liquid, sticky pollen grains collect on its hairy little body. The industrious honeybee retrieves the greatest amount of pollen by synchronously working its specialized limbs to brush the tiny grains into baskets located on its hindmost legs.

After detecting a source of nectar, a honeybee will return to its nestmates and perform an intricate dance that communicates information about the location of food. In turn, members of the hive echo the scout bee's directions by imitating the dance steps and wing sounds.