What organs do bees use to taste?

Bees primarily use their antennae and taste hairs to taste. The antennae are equipped with numerous sensory receptors that detect various chemical signals, allowing bees to assess the quality of nectar, pollen, and other substances in their environment. These receptors enable bees to distinguish between different tastes, which is crucial for their foraging behavior and the selection of food sources.

Additionally, bees have taste hairs located on their mouthparts and other parts of their body, which contribute to their ability to taste when they come into contact with different substances. This sensory input is essential for making decisions about food, such as identifying the sweetness of nectar or the nutritional value of pollen, which ultimately influences their foraging patterns and efficiency in the hive.

The other options mention body parts that are not involved in the tasting process. Mandibles are primarily used for chewing and manipulation of food rather than tasting. Compound eyes provide vision, not taste, while stingers have a different role in defense and reproduction. Thus, the correct understanding of how bees taste involves recognizing the importance of both the antennae and taste hairs in their sensory repertoire.