Aspects of Insect Vision

Abstract

The functional morphology of the insect compound eye is reviewed with special reference to its surface and volume relationships with the rest of the head and its evolutionary development. Measurements of the more important parameters of the eyes of 28 species representing 14 major orders are given and interpreted in relation to this review. Recent histological and biophysical work on insect vision is also reviewed and some conclusions, especially those concerning the limit of sensitivity in the ultra-violet, are shown to be consistent with current theories of the early history of the oceans, the atmosphere, and of life.