I've searched the net, and am aware of the work done by von Frisch and, more recently, Lotto of the University College of London in colour vision capabilities of honeybees, but is anyone aware of other colours in addition to the following:
"four of the visual cells in each ommatidium respond best to yellow-green light (544 nm)
two respond maximally to blue light (436 nm)
the remaining two respond best to ultraviolet light (344 nm)"
I use cobalt blue patterns on the fronts of my hives to give each a unique "address". I don't know if it helps to prevent drifting or now, but can't hurt.
I use a drab green patterns on white boxes for pattern recognition and to prevent drifting. Seems to work as end colonies are no stronger than central ones (6 total in an arc).
Honeybees can see a fairly broad color range, but they can only differentiate between six major color groups; blue-green, blue, violet, ultraviolet, yellow, and a color known as "bee's purple," a mixture of yellow and ultraviolet. Bee vision is best in the blue-green, violet, and bee's purple colors. Red will appear as a shade of gray.
You should read "Form and Function in the Honey Bee" by Lesley Goodman if your interested in how the bees eyes work, what the compound eye is made up of, and how they perceive color. For pattern recognition, von Frisch's work is still good.
Once upon a time, I was a special FX artist in LA. There was a company that makes non toxic, water base, high intensity UV paints for the industry. They're pricey, but I'm considering doing some experimentation with them.
The really cool ones are invisible to the human eye in normal light, but fluoresce in full blazing colour under UV.
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