Pollen is a collection of a myriad of microscopic pollen grains (plant spermatozoa) found in the anthers of flowers (pollen sacs, part of the stamens).
As the worker bee sucks the nectar, brushing the stamens, its hairy body becomes covered in pollen. It collects it with a sort of comb on its legs, brings it to its mouth where it moistens it with a little regurgitated nectar and saliva and finally concentrates it into balls on the third pair of legs, equipped with a special basket. Back at the hive, the bee, after having moistened the pollen, deposits it in the cells and, if intended for the winter supply, covers it with a light layer of honey that keeps it moist and sealed.
A colony of bees transports 20-30 kg of pollen into the hive every year.
Pollen is an important source of protein for bees and is used as a general food but above all to feed the brood larvae, mixing it with honey.