What feature of the ocelli in honey bees is significant?

The significance of ocelli in honey bees lies primarily in their role in navigation, especially in relation to light. Ocelli are simple eyes located on the top of a bee’s head. Unlike compound eyes, which provide detailed visual images and are involved in color recognition, ocelli are designed to detect changes in light intensity.

These simple eyes help honey bees gauge light levels, which is crucial for orientation and navigation during flight. When bees are out foraging, they rely on the position of the sun, and their ocelli assist them in maintaining direction by detecting the sun's brightness and angle in the sky. This capability is essential for returning to the hive after collecting nectar and pollen, and it aids in their overall efficiency as foragers.

The other options describe functions that are not attributed to ocelli. For example, they do not provide detailed image vision, nor do they have a role in vivid color perception, both functions attributed to the compound eyes. Additionally, ocelli are not located on the legs; they are situated on the head of the bees.