What does a forager bee primarily do with the pollen collected in the pollen basket?

A forager bee primarily collects pollen from flowers and stores it in the pollen baskets, which are special structures on their hind legs. The primary function of this collection is to transport the pollen back to the hive. Once back at the hive, the forager bee will unload the pollen, where it will be used as food for the colony, especially for feeding the brood (young bees) and the queen.

Understanding the role of forager bees in transporting pollen to the hive highlights the importance of their activity in the pollination process and the sustenance of the colony. While the queen is fed with a royal jelly and the storage of pollen occurs, the immediate and critical task of the forager bee is to gather and bring back the pollen to ensure the hive's survival.