What structure in the head allows bees to smell?

The antennae are the primary structures that allow bees to detect smells. They serve as sensory organs, equipped with numerous olfactory receptors that help bees identify pheromones from their colony, find food sources, and navigate their environment. The arrangement and sensitivity of the sensory cells on the antennae enable bees to pick up even the faintest chemical signals in the air, which is crucial for communication and survival.

In contrast, while the eyes are important for vision, they play no role in the sense of smell. Mandibles are primarily used for grasping and manipulating objects and do not function in olfaction. The proboscis is specialized for feeding, particularly for extracting nectar, but it does not have the anatomical structures necessary for detecting odors. Thus, the antennae are essential for a bee’s ability to smell and engage effectively with their environment.