Bees collect nectar from flowers, which is a sweet liquid produced by flowering plants. This nectar serves as a food source for the bees, providing them with the carbohydrates they need for energy. When bees visit flowers, they use their long proboscis to suck up the nectar. As they do so, they also come into contact with pollen, which they unintentionally pick up on their bodies. This process is essential for pollination, as bees transfer pollen from one flower to another while collecting nectar, facilitating the reproduction of many plants. The nectar collected by bees is brought back to the hive, where it is converted into honey through a process of evaporation and enzymatic activity.
While pollen is collected by bees and is crucial for their brood (baby bees), it is not the primary substance they seek during their visits to flowers. Honeydew, which is a sugary substance excreted by some insects, is not the main focus for bees as they generally do not collect it from flowers. Water is collected by bees as well, but it is not sourced from flowers in the way nectar is.