Why do honeybees collect pollen from flowers?

Honeybees collect pollen from the anthers of flowers primarily because it provides the essential proteins necessary for the rearing of young bees.12

While adult honeybees live primarily on nectar (a sugary solution used to produce honey), they gather pollen to provision the nest and feed their larvae. Once collected, this pollen is stored in cells within the honeycomb, typically in the area surrounding the broodnest. In the process of foraging for these vital nutrients, bees also facilitate pollination, which is essential for the reproduction of many flowering plants.1324