Eyes like these are called compound eyes. Each eye is divided up into tiny sections that see little bits of the overall picture. Insects cannot focus their eyes, so they do not see images clearly. Our eyesight is about eighty times better than most insects'. Compound eyes are mainly good for seeing movement.
Motion alerts the insect to danger or food.
Interesting information and activities will tickle your senses when you open Animal Senses , the latest offering from Pamela Hickman. Hickman describes each animal sense and also how humans react to the same stimuli. Human sight is keener than that of an insect, but night-foraging animals have mostly rods in their eyes, and, as a result, they can make their way about without bumping into things. She includes easy activities that kids can do on their own, or with the involvement of an adult, to prove the information. Her explanations are clear, without being simplistic, and, therefore, will be of use to children over a range of ages.