This was answered a lot already, but I'll go into a little more detail. They eat both.

Pollen = Protein

Nectar/Honey = Carbohydrates

Just like most other living animals they need both to survive.

Honeycomb holding Pollen -- the multicolored cells are pollen, actually something called "bee bread" if you need a keyword to read more about it. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/c2/65/36/c26536d91...

This image shows a comb with pollen in the bottom left, uncapped honey/nectar in the central area. This uncapped nectar has too much water in it still and will ferment, and capped honey in the top right section. This capped area is true honey that has been dehydrated enough to not ferment and spoil. http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/honeycomb-fresh-honey-pollen-...

They distribute pollen via mechanical side-effects (on their legs and bodies), but that is not their goal. That effect is the plant's goal, which is why it produces nectar - to lure them.

It's the original Sharing Economy.

Bees absolutely collect pollen, they even have special pollen ball holding cups on their legs. They also collect nectar, in their stomach.

They distribute pollen to pay for the honey. The better they do it, the more flowers, the more honey. But in the end they are not going to complain individually if there is no pollen. They will of there is no honey.

> But in the end they are not going to complain individually if there is no pollen.

I keep bees and they absolutely do store pollen in the hive to use as food (as well as nectar to turn into honey).

It's more like the bees are farmers tending their sustenance crop.

They collect both, from here[0]:

"First bees have four main items on the collection list: nectar, pollen, saps / waxes, and water"

[0] - https://www.quora.com/Can-honey-bees-collect-nectar-at-the-s...

All bees collect nectar. Some bees collect pollen - although all bees need it.

Bees collect both and eat both.

bees turn nectar into honey